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.

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Missing the presence of children

bookwoman
bookwoman
My son is 20 & has been away from home for about 18 months. Some days I miss him as he is right now but many days, I miss him at other ages - baby, toddler, even tween years. My husband and I both miss simply having children in our lives & there probably aren't any grandkids in the near future. Kids have an energy that adults just can't replicate. Does anyone else ever feel this way?
bookwoman
bookwoman
Hi Sue! I can relate to your post, since one of my stepkids was so surly that both his dad & I felt like throwing a party when he left. The good thing is that sometimes being out of the house & in a new situation is good for everyone concerned, and the adult child mellows out. That's a possibility for you as well.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Houston28,
I understand your pain.Personally i think some rest and relaxation would do you great.Instead of being all depressed you could appreciate more the good things about children moving out. You have more time for you now. Should spend more time with your friends or maybe you'd enjoy traveling with your spouse. I recently learned of a program called Viaseminars.com it's a mix of travel, cycling and counseling addressed specifically to empty nesters. Maybe you should give them a look...
Good Luck!