Empty Nests Support Group
Empty nest syndrome is a general feeling of depression and loneliness that parents/other guardian relatives feel when one or more of their children leave home. Empty nest syndrome has become more prevalent in modern times, as the extended family is becoming less common than in past generations, and the elderly are left living by themselves.
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm tired of everyone telling me to "turn the page on a new chapter of my life".
I don't want to turn it. I don't want the new chapter. I want to be close to my son, where I know that I can be with him. Listen to his laugh, see his smile. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited for him - because I raised him alone. and he's doing AMAZING. and He is THRIVING OUT THERE 1100 miles away. and I smile and laugh and text so he doesn't know that I'm broken. But I am.
is it just me?
its not you. i feel the same way. i sooo miss being part of his life, and i feel him slipping away more every day. He is married and in the army, stationed across the country. now my daughter is getting married and though i am so happy for her, i am so sad. i dont know how to get past it.
i do the same as you.
It most definitely is not you. I recently had a falling out with my youngest daughter. She moved out last June. As of this last October we mended our fences but she doesn't want to move back home even though she is struggling out there. Now, my eldest is moving out this January because she feels she's too old to living at home. I'm a single mom, twice divorced, living in an area of "unlike situation" peers. My part time friends are married and think I'm lucky to be without a partner and have all this alone time. Little do they know that it has nothing to do with luck. I have no immediate family here, no one calls on a daily basis and my best friend is dying of cancer. My children and I have been through some very rough times and without them here at home, I'm completely lost.
I rambled a bit too much, but being an extreme introvert, I don't know how to create a life without them.
Of course you miss your son...I was very close to my own and when he died at 46 I was amazed that I still lived!
Your son is here, you can visit him, talk and text...
Ignore and avoid the people who expect you to play by their rules...it is okay to admit you are mad!
Be happy and grateful EVERY DAY that your lovely son is in this world...reachable and huggable.
I am not trying to trivialize your sadness, believe me, I HATED it when my two kids flew from the nest...I do know that lots of conversations and good visits together really make the transition easier.
I told my kids, point blank:THIS IS VERY HARD FOR ME. IF I CALL YOU EVERY TEN MINUTES IT IS JUST ME,TEADJUSTING...SO PICK UP THE PHONE. COME VISIT WHEN YOU CAN, I WILL NEED LOTS OF HUGS!
We got through it.
I wish you much joy ahead.