Definitely younger the better to become empty nesters. At the same time, it is better to be child free in your 20's.

We are currently 60:and 64 with a 25 year old boomerang kid. Still waiting for empty nest.

Well my youngest will go to college when I'm 58 - so probably not that! I worry I'll only have 10 more great years once I'm kid free before my energy level and physical abilities tank (assuming I even have them that long)

Buuuut - I also had an amazing time in my 20s and early 30s - working and living in several different countries making friends around the world, building a career that I feel good about, going to grad school, challenging myself in other ways, having lots of leisurely weekends and time to focus on myself and my friends

If I had to pick a decade to be kid free - I'd definitely pick 25-35 over 48-58. I wish I had more time for fun after they're out of the house, but not at the expense of giving up the fun I had 25-35. I'll taking being a single 28 year old living it up in another country over being a 54 year old doing a river cruise with nice walking tours any day.

We will be 52 and 54 when our youngest starts college. I think that is pretty good. we also got to enjoy our 20s.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh look another thread shaming people for not being married and having kids by 25.

I give you folks credit you don't quit.

Old mom here. Nobody is shaming anyone. Just stop.

It is. This is straight out of the family values playbook. This is not a genuine post.

If it's supposed to shame me, it's not working. My honest to god reaction was geez I had zero clue who I was at 22 and was not ready to be a wife or a mom. But hats off to OP, everyone is on their own path.

The ideal age to have children is any time you can have them with the right person (for you). The biggest decision any of us make isn't when to have children, it's who do we have them with.

The best age to be an empty nester is when all of your friends are starting to be empty nesters.

We are the first in our group and it's been really difficult to navigate. We only have one kid which might be a factor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh look another thread shaming people for not being married and having kids by 25.

I give you folks credit you don't quit.

Old mom here. Nobody is shaming anyone. Just stop.

It is. This is straight out of the family values playbook. This is not a genuine post.

Anonymous wrote:Oh look another thread shaming people for not being married and having kids by 25.

I give you folks credit you don't quit.

Old mom here. Nobody is shaming anyone. Just stop.

Opposite end of the spectrum. Didn't have our first (and only) until 38 and 42(DH). By then we already had gotten all the nightlife out of our system and advanced enough in our careers to travel nicely. It would have been nice to have the energy of our 20s but I'm not sure I'd trade it.

Oh look another thread shaming people for not being married and having kids by 25.

I give you folks credit you don't quit.

I will be 48 and my husband 50 when our youngest starts college. I am looking forward to it!! 8 more years. I think we will still have some of our youth and hopefully a good decade to travel together.

I think I’m in the sweet spot. My DS is a sophomore in college and I’m 49. Financially it is a huge stretch (I’m a single parent and a teacher) but I was definitely starting to lose steam when he got his senior year in HS. I have a very long list of things to do when he graduates and I’m done paying tuition. Lots of home improvements since the house is nearing 50 years old (I inherited it but other than necessities like the roof, hot water heater, a/c, it hadn’t been touched).

The younger the better. My parents were empty nesters when they were 50 and 45. DH and I will be 63. We’ll have a lot more money but not those extra years.

Well, I’ll be 58 when my youngest goes to college! Hahaha. I guess on the plus side we have plenty of money.

What is the ideal age to be an empty nester, and what age will you be one?

My children will be 18/20 when I am 42. I already have an empty home while they are at their father's home, I have fun with friends while they are gone. 42 seems a bit young to have grown children, but I'm also hoping I'll have money to travel by then and have enough energy to be adventurous. I'm currently 30.