Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its easier for people whose kids stay in town but probably tougher if your kids move to other states for work or spouse.

And harder if you don’t have a spouse yourself (so now, most meals, and future travel, are solo 🙁)

There are a ton of groups and places to turn to for companion travel, or whatever hobby group you like - hiking, sewing, gardening, attending concerts, golf, etc.

I suggest joining your local woman's club in order to meet other women, and develop volunteer opportunities.

Women Traveling Together
She Travels
Amazing Women Travel
Women Who Hike Maryland

It's more interesting to visit your children in other places

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its easier for people whose kids stay in town but probably tougher if your kids move to other states for work or spouse.

And harder if you don’t have a spouse yourself (so now, most meals, and future travel, are solo 🙁)

Or you tag along, on a trip, with them and their sign other. It is challenging, trust me. The

Anonymous wrote:Its easier for people whose kids stay in town but probably tougher if your kids move to other states for work or spouse.

And harder if you don’t have a spouse yourself (so now, most meals, and future travel, are solo 🙁)

Anonymous wrote:Am I wrong in thinking it's going to be positive on some level? I am going to miss my kids of course, but not the amount of cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, constantly cheerleading and helping with problems and enduring moods. Every weekend I am exhausted because it's all about everyone but me, and it's been going on for nearly 18 years without true meaningful breaks.

It is massively liberating. My first year as an empty nester. I filled my time this weekend working on the taxes, going to the gym and the listening to a book on tape while doing a jigsaw puzzle. We are headed to see one of my college kids this weekend and saw two sets of friends the weekend prior.

Anonymous wrote:Its easier for people whose kids stay in town but probably tougher if your kids move to other states for work or spouse.

Both my kids went 40 minutes away and they didnt miss celebrations and holidays. So we are not really empty nesters in the strictest sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I wrong in thinking it's going to be positive on some level? I am going to miss my kids of course, but not the amount of cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, constantly cheerleading and helping with problems and enduring moods. Every weekend I am exhausted because it's all about everyone but me, and it's been going on for nearly 18 years without true meaningful breaks.

100% easier in that regard.

Yes now when you clean the house (or the house cleaner leaves), it stays that way until the husband comes home (and possibly even longer)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you do to make empty nesters years more interesting?

Travel, enjoy life with your spouse, hobbies, volunteer, etc.

If your life is that wrapped up with your kids and you cannot think of what to do without them, you might need some therapy

That’s a little harsh. I love that my life is wrapped up in my kids and have had the best 18 years doing that. Not hard to imagine a drastic transition when they’re both gone. We love spending our weekends at their games and our free time as a family. I thought we’d have a gradual transition into empty nesting but my teens are around a lot and it will be a stark contrast when they’re gone. I have the same thoughts as OP

I too have had a life wrapped up with my kids. I became a SAHM when my first was born (over 25 years ago). I was there for them whenever/whatever it was they needed. We too love spending time together as a family, despite the fact it is when the college kid is home now and when the 25 yo is home (they live 2K miles away, college kid is other coast). But I also looked forward to being able to travel sometime other than June-Aug or spring break or mid February Break. I find we value our time together even more when it's less frequent. Our oldest still comes on a big vacation each year, tries to come home for 1-2 weeks at xmas and several long weekends a year (despite needing to fly two flights), and normally plans it when the college sibling is also home.
But I still maintained my own friendships and love of life/activities that I simply wasn't able to do as much of when the kids were home. So I'm enjoying all of those now that youngest has been off to college. I just cannot imagine not having activities that you want to do, even in you put them on hold while kids were home

Anonymous wrote:Am I wrong in thinking it's going to be positive on some level? I am going to miss my kids of course, but not the amount of cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, constantly cheerleading and helping with problems and enduring moods. Every weekend I am exhausted because it's all about everyone but me, and it's been going on for nearly 18 years without true meaningful breaks.

100% easier in that regard.

Am I wrong in thinking it's going to be positive on some level? I am going to miss my kids of course, but not the amount of cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, constantly cheerleading and helping with problems and enduring moods. Every weekend I am exhausted because it's all about everyone but me, and it's been going on for nearly 18 years without true meaningful breaks.

Its easier for people whose kids stay in town but probably tougher if your kids move to other states for work or spouse.

If you are involved and supportive parents, not having your life centered around your family life is just not possible and transitioning to being childless after two decades is a learning curve. You have to recalibrate to make the most of this new phase of life. Obviously, easier for parents who weren't fully involved to begin with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you do to make empty nesters years more interesting?

Travel, enjoy life with your spouse, hobbies, volunteer, etc.

If your life is that wrapped up with your kids and you cannot think of what to do without them, you might need some therapy

That’s a little harsh. I love that my life is wrapped up in my kids and have had the best 18 years doing that. Not hard to imagine a drastic transition when they’re both gone. We love spending our weekends at their games and our free time as a family. I thought we’d have a gradual transition into empty nesting but my teens are around a lot and it will be a stark contrast when they’re gone. I have the same thoughts as OP

Anonymous wrote:What do you do to make empty nesters years more interesting?

Travel, enjoy life with your spouse, hobbies, volunteer, etc.

If your life is that wrapped up with your kids and you cannot think of what to do without them, you might need some therapy

What do you do to make empty nesters years more interesting?