If you are divorced/separated/ in an unhappy marriage, who are you going to hang out with when the kids leave the home?

[Anonymous]

Who are you going to be with on the weekends, going to lunch, shopping, vacation, etc?

I spent these past years hanging out almost exclusively with my lovely daughter, who is now a teenager. We moved to a new city twice, so I don't really have friends in the latest city. Relatives are all in Europe.

I would love to think that I will continue to spend my time with my DD in my fifties and sixties, but realistically that will not be the case, even if I will be an involved grandma.

What are your plans?

[Anonymous]

Best friend. Also will be helping my mom- who thankfully lives near many cousins.

[Anonymous]

Books and cats.

[Anonymous]

I moved to a neighborhood with a lot of empty nesters and activities. Honestly I’m enjoying my own company and talk to my daughter on the phone everyday. It gets lonely sometimes, but I just keep adding things to pass the time.

[Anonymous]

I think you start forming a network now. Join a book club, join a gym, reach out your dd’s friends moms and do coffee or lunch, start a neighborhood mom game night, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you start forming a network now. Join a book club, join a gym, reach out your dd’s friends moms and do coffee or lunch, start a neighborhood mom game night, etc.

OP here. Great ideas, thanks!

I don't like cats, and I'm not ready to adopt the active lifestyle that the dog breed that I like (German shepherd) requires, so I'll go with your recommendations.

[Anonymous]

I have a ton of friends and a boyfriend.

[Anonymous]

Well, I shop, vacation and hang out with dd as our schedules permit. I travel to visit adult dc also. I am involved a lot at church, which I really enjoy (as does dd). Plus, sometimes I just need to rest!

I have aging parents nearby so that takes up a lot of time-I'm glad I'm available and wish it was more (I work full time with a commute).

I'm never lonely or bored. I defenitely want to be an involved grandma when the kids have kids and will arrange my retirement situation around their needs and desires.

[Anonymous]

How do I be a human if I can use my daughter to fill my time?

[Anonymous]

My friends, my sister, my daughters, my boyfriends

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Well, I shop, vacation and hang out with dd as our schedules permit. I travel to visit adult dc also. I am involved a lot at church, which I really enjoy (as does dd). Plus, sometimes I just need to rest!

I have aging parents nearby so that takes up a lot of time-I'm glad I'm available and wish it was more (I work full time with a commute).

I'm never lonely or bored. I defenitely want to be an involved grandma when the kids have kids and will arrange my retirement situation around their needs and desires.

OP here. It's wonderful that you still spend a lot of time with your DD! That's my hope, too.

[Anonymous]

How do I be a human if I can't use my daughter to fill my time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friends, my sister, my daughters, my boyfriends

OP here. Now that's a thought

[Anonymous]

Please give your dd space. My mom was so needy, it was awful.

[Anonymous]

I developed my own network of friends. It's not the same as having a life partner but it's fulfilling and if I need something (a ride to a surgery center, prescriptions filled if sick, etc.), I have friends and neighbors.

I met neighbors just by saying hello while being outside. I met other friends while volunteering.