The Family & Parenting ForumsFamily dynamics can be exactly that - dynamic! Post here about family related issues such as parenting, blended families, step-families, new relationships with children involved, family of origin issues, in-laws or sibling issues.
I am surprised at myself. I thought when the kids left home I would be sad. Maybe i'm a defective mom, but I am not sad at all - I am actually kinda happy!
Our oldest moved out in October, our second moved out January 1, and the youngest is planning on moving out in a month - she spends half the time away at her boyfriends already. And I don't really miss them as much as I thought at all!!
Maybe it's because I have been through enough emotionally in the last 2 years that my emotions have said, ok, take this as a GOOD thing and don't fret!! They're all adults and good people and are doing well, let it go. I don't know,
When our oldest left for college it really eased our schedules so much it made up for the change. We still have two more to go but as a previeiw of the empty nest we are looking forward to it. We have other interests that we will be able to do more and more as our kid time frees up. Posted via Mobile Device
Yep, it's very liberating. I love my kids but I'm glad that they do not consume all of my free time now.
People react differently to the empty nest. Shoot look at how birds react.. they push the little suckers out of the nest if they won't go on their own.
My take on it is that God makes babies so cute/adorable so that we will love and take care of them despite that fact that they are needy/demanding creatures. And He makes teens so obnoxious so that we will kick them out the door and let them have a live of their own.
We are in a different, but similar situation. Our daughter was severely handicapped and passed away about two years ago. After the initial grief, we realized that we were empty nesters, but for a different reason. We go out more, travel, sit around and do nothing, get drunk for no reason other than it's (insert stupid reason here), etc.
There is another use for living room furniture besides watching TV...
I agree. I am looking forward to my kids moving out. One is due to go next month. I will miss him incredibly, but he is ready to get on with his life and I am ready to get on with mine. I have done a great job and he is ready to take his place in the world.
I am glad I am not the only one to feel this way. I always thought I wouldn't want them to move out, but after 23 years of pregnancy and child rearing I am ready for a break
We had 3 boys and they all reached the point where they needed to be out on their own. We have enjoyed the "empty nest" now for about 15 years. It has been AWESOME!!!! We got married young (16&17) because she was pregnant, so we are getting our alone time NOW!!
__________________
The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality—the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Marriage is not a place to "stand up for your rights." Marriage is a decision to serve the other, whether in bed or out. 1 Corinthians 7:2 (The Message)
I think the liberating part of our parenting lives start when the kids start driving on their own, all of the sudden you realize "hey, I don't have to drive child to where ever, I got two hours of me time, what should I do" Then we get selfish and learn to like "me" time, and we encourage the children to go further and be gone longer! And when they get in trouble for something the LAST thing you want to do is take away their driving privileges! Who wants to go back to playing chauffeur to an angry insolent teenager?
My daughter is in her third year of college and living with her boyfriend, I see or talk to her just enough so I don't miss her, if she wanted to move back home I certainly would let her but I am hoping she doesn't ever need to! My son is a high school senior and I keep telling him as soon as he graduates I'm packing his stuff and dropping him off at a homeless shelter!
I love my kids but am looking forward to being an empty nester, also looking forward to a smaller nest, and a quieter nest, and a nest that stays clean!
My mother was distraught when 3 of her four children left. We were admonished for not staying home and helping to pay the mortgage.
It's strange; while we were growing up, she often voiced her resentment for the sacrifices of being a parent. The day that each of us left, La Maman wept bitterly. She misses us terribly.
Couples are happiest before they have children and after the kids are gone. If the marriage was unhappy, there is often a divorce at this stage since there are no kids to stay together for. My parents haven't been happy for years and the empty nest only magnified their issues.
We have a ways to go, our youngest is 8. However, my oldest turns 18 in a few months and she is going back and fourth what to do and where to go when the time comes. She know there will be rules if she stays.
Congratulations! When our children are moved, I'd like to move to a more secluded area surrounded by trees and no neighbors. That is our current plan. We live in a very rural area now, but I'd like a bit more privacy. Posted via Mobile Device
So happy for you. I will be somewhat sad but def relieved to have an empty house, our house is very small. I feel that we will feel life a job well done is in order....but then a second honeymoon is around the corner...and then to stay.....
Empty nest - yeeehaw!! 
