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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New Member and Depressed - Alone

reisen55
reisen55
The Holiday season is always rough, and while my profile - daughter living on her own, which is good - seems like everyone has deserted this ship for the Holidays. My wife and I are second marriage people (each has an Ex- out there) and the kids are either visiting the Ex or spending time with Ex- family) so we are in the outfield doing nothing but kicking weeds. House is just too damn quiet. I also watched with my daughter and her boyfriend vidoes of when she was 3 and 4 during the divorce years - my parents lived in a gorgeous house (money was not an issue then). And today I am in a job hunt, near broke and stressed. Some family contact would be great.

:-(
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sorry to hear about the empty house issue. I am just beginning that stage in life. Hubby and I have 2 beautiful daughters. One away at college and one a senior in high school. We rarely see either daughter. They will not be here on T-Giving Day because they have boyfriend commitments. I feel like chopped liver. So we are having T-Giving dinner on Sat. I HATE THIS!!! I am sorry I don't know how to help you, just wanted you to know that you are NOT ALONE!!!
Take Care of yourself!!!
reisen55
reisen55
AuntShawn - thanks ever so much. My sister sent me several family photographs from where lives in Colorado (my parents kindly GAVE HER almost EVERYTHING when they died) and among them is one, singular shot of "the family" having dinner in about 1959 - my grandparents all together, parents, sister and me. Incredible shot, wish I had more of them.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, sharing our kids can be difficult. It feels like grief - painful. For what it's worth, my suggestion would be to work on your extended family - those who are like-minded, with similar philosophies to you and your wife. It is likely that there are folks in your communities (groups with whom you associate [?].)That doesn't help you today or tomorrow but it may help you around this time next year. My best to you and your wife during this difficult time.
deleted_user
deleted_user
We are going through the same issues, and have so many regrets over the past 20 years, that have left us, without extended family. We just moved, and itis very sad here our house, I miss my kids and my grandson they are all opposite ends of the earth, financially we are just barley making it, and at one time we had the whole package, lovely home, kids, friends, gets really hard when you look back, but looking forward is bleak...
I hope you can find some hapiness in this life.
I wish the best for you.
Trying not to even think about Christnmas, been doing on my shopping online and it feels so cold and empty, nothing to put under the tree, maybe won't even have one this year.
so tired of crying, I have not unpacked any pictures of family, hurts too much.
You are not alone in this empty nest bullsh~t!!!
reisen55
reisen55
For starters, changed my picture to something more fun: Professor Fate from my favorite film, THE GREAT RACE. And we are now through 2 of the big 3 holidays. The one Thanksgiving our Atlanta daughter suffered through was HORRENDOUS, AWFUL, BAD in terms of family relations. Gee, makes us local folk look good by comparison. My daughter is keeping tabs a bit better, could still be better. But she is also onto "her" life so that goes.

My parent's lives were really lovely. To honor them, every Christmas Eve for about the past 7 years I take a 90 minute drive to their houses and thank them, and will probably do so this year anyway. Can't be all that angry.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My house is empty and quiet and often very sad. My hubby works long hours and then spends lots of time on the compuet. I work long hours too. Mt 21 year old son was home for tanksgiving, but I didnt see much of him because I visited his friends and his dad, and then there wasnt much time. We gotta think of a way to liven up Christmas - start thinking, Girlwithpearl
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