For the single parents out there

[Anonymous]

Do you think empty nest is harder for you?

My kid is in the busy, independent stage of her life—which I know is normal and healthy. Yet, we clash around what I think are reasonable expectations for contact (talking every few weeks, visiting 3-4 x a year?) She picks the times and frequency, but does not seem to look forward to our visits. It hurts me so.

I wonder if it is because she is now in a romantic relationship?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think empty nest is harder for you?

My kid is in the busy, independent stage of her life—which I know is normal and healthy. Yet, we clash around what I think are reasonable expectations for contact (talking every few weeks, visiting 3-4 x a year?) She picks the times and frequency, but does not seem to look forward to our visits. It hurts me so.

I wonder if it is because she is now in a romantic relationship?

How old is she?
At what stage of her education/career?
How far away?
Expain the single parent thing, please.

[Anonymous]

Are you offering to pay for her to come visit you those four times a year? How often are you offering to go visit her? I visit my father (across the country) roughly once every 4 years. He comes here 2-3 times a year (there are grandkids from other children for him to visit).

Surely you can see it's more exciting for your daughter to hang out with her new love than her old nagging mom.

Why not ask her if you can have a standing call once a month so you two can catch up?

[Anonymous]

3-4 times a year is a LOT if its more than a couple hours by car.

How old is she, is she working full time, how far does she live, do you have other children?

[Anonymous]

Empty nest time has been lovely. My husband and I feel like young adults again! And the bonus is, we get to enjoy traveling to visit our fledged children in the cool cities they work/live in.

[Anonymous]

You obviously did something wrong as a parent. What do you think it was?