It gives you more time to focus on divorce too.

For what it's worth. I moved back home for a couple years after I graduated from college. My dad was so thrilled to have me back and it helped me not feel like such a burden.

Anonymous wrote:We have been empty nest full time for the last year or so - everyone out of college.

Embrace it! Take back up old hobbies or new ones, enjoy a weekend free of activities, enjoy the new rhythm of weekdays that don't involve activities/dinner/homework, etc. Stop feeling obligated to cook dinners and marvel at how much cleaner your house is without teenagers. Have way more time for uninterrupted and unscheduled sex!

Of course you will miss them, but we have absolutely enjoyed the freedom. It is a next chapter for sure.

I could have written the above- this is just what it’s been like for us.

And, OP, I was very concerned about what an empty nest would be like, because I really, really liked being a mom and felt really good about how I parented for all those years. I was afraid I’d be soooo sad without my kids around.

But, you know, they still visit and spend time here. And it really is a joy to see the kind of adults they’ve become and all the things that they’ve done.

And, frankly, finally having the ability to have a lot of uninterrupted and unscheduled sex is fantastic! 😉

It is what you make of it. Some couples come closer while others drift apart.

I'm dreading it. I have one more year.

Not because I don't love my DH but I will profoundly miss my child and her busy schedule. We have a nice school community and I just won't see those people on the regular, anymore. I love the 3 of us and our family unit and it will not longer be the same. I know that is good, right, kid is doing what she's supposed to do, etc. etc. But, the grief I feel over the end of childhood, end of us as unity is huge.

It is so quiet. Find it hard to find things to talk about, because everything was always about the kids. You do less laundry and dishes. Learning to cook for 2 was hard and grocery shopping even harder. You do get back your time which is nice but you will miss the chaos.

I would change food patterns and start deep cleaning.

You'll miss them but you can visit them, they can come on breaks, they will have issues needing remote help so its not like they are not on your plate, just doesn't take as much space. If tgey are full pay at private colleges where merit isn't an option, they'll eat up lion's share of your income anyways.

Anonymous wrote:Well my DS will be graduating from high school tomorrow at night 7PM. In the fall he will be attending JMU. My other DS will be a junior in Virginia Tech. We are pretty much going to be by ourselves from AUG-December. (they will come home for Thanksgiving Break.) How is life when kids are not home? Last time this happen we were living in a small one bed apartment in 2003.


They did attend camps, but the longest camp was a week or two..

Life is calmer and organized on day to day basis and you've more time to do things you like,e.g. work, travel, personal grooming, romance, hobbies, social interactions, social media, home improvement etc.

No reason you can't visit them

Anonymous wrote:I'm in the same boat OP, and I'm so damn excited. My husband and I are getting back into our own lives. We go out to dinner, for long walks, drives, kayaking, and are looking forward to traveling and concerts. Even during the times we cannot travel far, we are planning small weekend trips to drivable areas we haven't had a chance to really enjoy.

Ooooh this sounds lovely. Especially being able to take little weekend trips away. And maybe cooking less dinner haha.

I was feeling a little weepy at home fast my elementary aged kids are growing, but this helps me, even though I have no business on this forum

We have been empty nest full time for the last year or so - everyone out of college.

Embrace it! Take back up old hobbies or new ones, enjoy a weekend free of activities, enjoy the new rhythm of weekdays that don't involve activities/dinner/homework, etc. Stop feeling obligated to cook dinners and marvel at how much cleaner your house is without teenagers. Have way more time for uninterrupted and unscheduled sex!

Of course you will miss them, but we have absolutely enjoyed the freedom. It is a next chapter for sure.

Anonymous wrote:I'm in the same boat OP, and I'm so damn excited. My husband and I are getting back into our own lives. We go out to dinner, for long walks, drives, kayaking, and are looking forward to traveling and concerts. Even during the times we cannot travel far, we are planning small weekend trips to drivable areas we haven't had a chance to really enjoy.

+1 Right there with ya, but we have two more years of having the last at home before going to college. Then I will also retire.

So looking forward to having my freedom back. I love my children, lots. But, I miss my freedom.

I'm in the same boat OP, and I'm so damn excited. My husband and I are getting back into our own lives. We go out to dinner, for long walks, drives, kayaking, and are looking forward to traveling and concerts. Even during the times we cannot travel far, we are planning small weekend trips to drivable areas we haven't had a chance to really enjoy.

Well my DS will be graduating from high school tomorrow at night 7PM. In the fall he will be attending JMU. My other DS will be a junior in Virginia Tech. We are pretty much going to be by ourselves from AUG-December. (they will come home for Thanksgiving Break.) How is life when kids are not home? Last time this happen we were living in a small one bed apartment in 2003.


They did attend camps, but the longest camp was a week or two..