I have come to consider myself a poster child for the joys of being an empty nester. My nest has been empty for three years with daughters in New York, Atlanta and until recently Boston. These years were exciting and fulfilling for me as I pursued my own passions and watched my adult children creating their own lives. I felt sure the empty nest transition chapter of my life had concluded. Yet my reaction to some recent changes completely blindsided me and left me wondering if the empty nest transition is ever truly complete?
I think it started when my only local child moved from Boston to Seattle. Although she had been out of the house for ten years, she had never been very far. I got so caught up in her excitement that I never stopped to acknowledge how it would affect me: no more spontaneous meet ups or quick bites at the mall, no need to make her favorite foods (and extras to take home) for her bi-monthly Sunday dinners at home.
And then there were the holidays. In the past, at least one or two of our three children were able to join us. We’ve celebrated all the Jewish Holidays with good friends and their families for over 20 years. The numbers and faces change every year as kids are away at college, significant others are added, kids live too far away or celebrate with their partners’ families. This past year we were childless at some of these celebrations. I love being with our friends and their children and used it as an opportunity to better connect with those who did attend. I had a great time. But, truth to be told, I was sad.
Then there was Mother’s Day. I knew well in advance that we would be spending the day childless, but again, I thought little about how I would actually feel.. My husband was actually more attuned to the situation than I was. Weeks prior he began asking “Barbara, how would you like to spend Mother’s Day? Do you want to drive somewhere for the day, go bike riding, or go out for brunch or dinner?” Each time I responded with some form of “we’ll figure it out when it gets closer.” Ultimately we went out to brunch and although we enjoyed the day, it was definitely a little lonely.
Another strange thing happened during these months; I stopped writing blog articles. I couldn’t think of anything to write about. I think I felt like a fraud. How could I write about the wonders of Empty Nesthood when I myself was struggling?
Fast forward to July 4th. In our family, July 4th has been a weekend of celebrating with our friends and their families on the Cape. Tons of kids, their friends and parents partying together. What could be better? Well guess what, none of our kids were able to come this year. But, this time I was prepared. I realized we would not be happy celebrating with our friends and their children without any of own, so, I thought about what I would enjoy and planned ahead. We still spent the weekend on the Cape, but instead invited good friends who don’t usually celebrate this holiday with their children to join us. We all golfed, ate, walked, beached, ate, drank, laughed, watched the fireworks, oh and did I mention ate. We had a great weekend.
And to my surprise, I woke up the next morning to find my writers block was gone! Why? I think because I finally figured out what wasn’t working for me, developed a plan, took charge and created something that met my needs.
Yes, these years can be the best years of our lives. A lot is changing. Some of these changes are freeing and exciting. But even if we have fulfilling careers, great friends and many interests, we still have feelings about some of our favorite traditions becoming wonderful memories. Denying that we are or will be impacted by these changes sets us up to feel sad, lost and stuck. By acknowledging how these changes will affect us, we allow ourselves to take charge and create new memories and traditions.
What traditions have you had to let go of? What new traditions can you create that will be fun, exciting and different?
Any ideas how I can break the news to my kids that next July 4th is the second annual Empty Nesters weekend at the Cape?
Are you missing the regular contact you had with your contemporaries when your kids were growing up? Did you see other parents regularly at sporting and school events, driving carpools, dance recitals, and shows? Do you want to know how other midlife women are handling these issues? Do you want to have fun, learn from and enjoy being with her peers again? Sign up to come to my MIDLIFE REINVENTION WEEKEND RETREAT in Vermont from November 3-5, 2017. There are a few spots left. You can sign up HERE.
Want to connect directly with Barbara, book your Complimentary 30 minute JUMPSTART YOUR NEXT CHAPTER Strategy Session HERE
For those of you who would like to make more connections with other midlife women, I invite you to join my Midlife Reinvention Facebook Group. You will gain access to training and resources from me and connect to almost 300 like-minded midlife women who inspire and support one another as they navigate and create their most fulfilling next acts.
Wow. This really hit home for me. My youngest is leaving for college in a few weeks and while I am excited for her I also have great feelings of sadness. I will miss the energy she brings to the house and all the friends who revolve through. I have been in mourning for the past year knowing that this was coming. Everyone says I will get used to it. Indeed I founds that after my first left I found a new normal within weeks. BUT I still had a daughter at home.
I should mention that we have two daughters. Having grown up as the only girls in my family I can only say it has been a real gift to have these two lovely young women in my life. They filled something in me that had alwys been empty.
I was clear early on that I wanted to raise them to be confident, independent and curious people. Not necessarily how I was raised. The good news is that they are all those things and more. I’ve no doubt that they will succeed in whatever they choose to endeavor. I know they don’t need me for much anymore, except occasional bumps in the road but I hope and pray that we have an enduring relationship of a new sort.
I love being a mom. Nothing has brought me more fulfillment. Yes, sometimes it is very difficult and without positive feedback but when I see these two girls of mine in the world I feel that something went right. They will always hold a very special place in my heart. As someone said to me recently, I need to find “other children” , figuratively speaking, to sustain me. I guess that is how I will fill the empty nest.
Lynn, So glad this article resonated with you. Many of the women that I work with are searching for their “other children”. At this stage in our lives we have so many skills, passions, and wisdom to share with the world. You might want to sign up for my free “Finding and Defining Callings” workbook to start you on your journey. It is in the freebies section of my website. The link is: http://barbarawassermancoaching.com/freebies/. Let me know what you think.
Best, Barbara