KaterineGauthier273

How To Handle An Empty Nest

You would think that 18 years is a long time to spend with your children. Yet those precious years whiz past before you know it. Oh sure, at first it feels it will go on forever. Parenting is not an easy task when you consider the long nights spent awake trying to pacify a crying infant after an equally long and difficult day with your child.

Once you get the hang of it, however, those happy years fly by. Suddenly you are faced with the fact that your children have grown up and are ready to strike out on their own. You are no doubt going to be exposed to some amount of heartache when the day arrives and you find yourself in an empty nest. However, being prepared for this life change can ease your pain considerably, and send you into the next phase of life with a flourish.

Despite the fact that the kids have left home, remember that the bond you share with them will always exist and you will always remain their parent. Your kids are not as dependent on you as they once were; however, they still want a connection with you. While your children are babies and young kids, they need you almost constantly. Your duties as a parent of young children include not just caring for them, but helping them be better people by teaching them valuable lessons in life. After they reach adulthood, the relationship transitions. They are still likely to come to you for advice and counsel. You will notice, though, that they will even teach you some things. The previous connection turns into something even more special: a friendship where each person has an equal role.

Your child moving out of the house can present you with a new opportunity to get reacquainted with your spouse. When you have children in the house, time alone with your spouse can be rare. Now you have a chance to deepen your relationship with your significant other and really get to know each other on a more intimate basis. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy activities you have always wanted to try, but were never able to do when you had children around. It's a wonderful time to get out there and have some fun with your spouse. You can get spontaneously romantic whenever you wish. You may just find that your child leaving the home helps to bring the spontaneity and romance back into your relationship. You can enjoy similar benefits if you're a single parent. You could head on out and meet new people with all the free time you now have on your hands. In the process you could find yourself falling in love and starting a whole new life.

It?s no secret that raising children tends to take up the bulk of your free hours. Many parents are so busy with their child's piano and soccer lessons that their own interests take a backseat. Once that responsibility has shifted away from you, it is time to unleash your creative skills and reawaken the passions in your life.

Pick up where you left off with past hobbies or start something new. Go on a cruise, indulge in your earlier joy of painting, take up charity work, or start a business. With more time on your hands, why wouldn?t you want to pursue the things that you couldn?t do earlier?

Don't jump into any life-altering decisions the minute the last child walks out the door. Though it can be unsettling for some, give yourself some time to adjust to an empty house and take pleasure in this new lifestyle. Even though the children are grown and away, it is good to call up once in a while, just so you know they are doing fine and they know that mom and dad are still there for them.

Remind yourself that you trained them to eventually be independent, and that they are capable adults now. There should be no doubt in you about them. You have raised them up and raised them well. Both of you are ready to enter the next phase life has to offer. This is an exhilarating opportunity.