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.
Hello everyone,
I am new to this support group but not new to empty nest syndrome. I have been dealing with this for 5 years. I had an idea it was going to be difficult but I didn't realize how difficult!
I have two sons who are now 23 and 25 and a daughter who is 13. I had fertility issues and wasn't sure I could have children; I prayed and begged for kids, I promised I would be the best mother ever and love, care and nurture them. Low and behold after taking fertility meds I am blessed with children.
I was a full time working mother who was blessed to have a wonderful job. I was able to stay home when the kids were sick, they could go to work with me, I was able to attend all sporting events, watch plays, volunteer, etc.
Outside of work, my life revolved around the kids they always came first.
My two boys are from a previous marriage and their father didn't want children and wasn't available to give emotional support but did spend a very limited time with them, which the boys said dad stayed in his room the entire visit. I went above and beyond for my sons.
Later, I remarried and we had our beautiful daughter. My husband loved and accepted our boys as his own and he was a wonderful daddy to our daughter. Problem was, he is a workaholic but I didn't mind because I loved being there and doing everything for the kids.
At the start of my eldest sons senior year I became really sick and I remained sick for the next four years. I quit my job that I loved and worked at for 22 years due to the illness.
After my sons graduated and moved on, I felt abandoned, alone, sad, angry, rejected..,
I found myself distancing myself from my daughter because I didn't want to go through this ever again.
My husband and I started having issues because we lost sight of one another; it felt as though we didn't know each other any more. If that wasn't bad enough I no longer worked, that would have been somewhat of a distraction.
Needless to say at 42 years old, I went through a identity crisis. I had no idea who I was. Good God, I still had my daughter at home and I couldn't get it together.
With time and counseling I now am closer to my daughter and husband . It is year five and I would say within the last few months I have been doing better and feeling much better. I wonder, just wonder if my illness came as a result of severe depression.
Sorry for the book. Its nice to connect to others that understand. Most of my friends did well with empty nest.
I am new to this support group but not new to empty nest syndrome. I have been dealing with this for 5 years. I had an idea it was going to be difficult but I didn't realize how difficult!
I have two sons who are now 23 and 25 and a daughter who is 13. I had fertility issues and wasn't sure I could have children; I prayed and begged for kids, I promised I would be the best mother ever and love, care and nurture them. Low and behold after taking fertility meds I am blessed with children.
I was a full time working mother who was blessed to have a wonderful job. I was able to stay home when the kids were sick, they could go to work with me, I was able to attend all sporting events, watch plays, volunteer, etc.
Outside of work, my life revolved around the kids they always came first.
My two boys are from a previous marriage and their father didn't want children and wasn't available to give emotional support but did spend a very limited time with them, which the boys said dad stayed in his room the entire visit. I went above and beyond for my sons.
Later, I remarried and we had our beautiful daughter. My husband loved and accepted our boys as his own and he was a wonderful daddy to our daughter. Problem was, he is a workaholic but I didn't mind because I loved being there and doing everything for the kids.
At the start of my eldest sons senior year I became really sick and I remained sick for the next four years. I quit my job that I loved and worked at for 22 years due to the illness.
After my sons graduated and moved on, I felt abandoned, alone, sad, angry, rejected..,
I found myself distancing myself from my daughter because I didn't want to go through this ever again.
My husband and I started having issues because we lost sight of one another; it felt as though we didn't know each other any more. If that wasn't bad enough I no longer worked, that would have been somewhat of a distraction.
Needless to say at 42 years old, I went through a identity crisis. I had no idea who I was. Good God, I still had my daughter at home and I couldn't get it together.
With time and counseling I now am closer to my daughter and husband . It is year five and I would say within the last few months I have been doing better and feeling much better. I wonder, just wonder if my illness came as a result of severe depression.
Sorry for the book. Its nice to connect to others that understand. Most of my friends did well with empty nest.
My husband was military so I also devoted myself to my children. It is so hard to let them go. Hugs to you.
My boys have come back home to me when they had no where else to go. Now it's even harder because I bought a Mobile Home in a Senior Park. I don't know how but when my oldest son's first wife kicked him out of the house, he showed up at my door step. I welcomed him and said to play it low key. Then his son, my grandson, didn't want to live with his mother because she did drugs, so somehow I brought my grandson in my home too. They actually lived with me for an entire year. My son got his life together. He had been a deputy Sheriff and was shot in the line of duty so he was on disability. He was able to save enough money to get a place for he and Marcus. My youngest son was doing so well for himself until his father shot himself. He just went down hill from there. We got new managers so I couldn't let him move in with me like I could do with Jason. So he stayed with me a couple of times for 5 days each. He is now living with my granddaughter. I am new to this site as well and sorry I have rambled on in your post. Feel free to pmessage me if you ever want to talk. Hugs GB