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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Next month I will be an empty nester-high anxiety!

Mimi23
Mimi23

I'm really glad to find this site. I'm a single mom. My oldest is getting married in a week, already lives in another state. Then my youngest will be leaving in a month to live out where his brother lives, in another state. I'm so sad knowing he's leaving. Granted I would never stop him from living his dream, but I feel like I'm losing a huge part of me. It doesn't help that a year ago I was in a really bad car accident and am still in therapy, still not working, basically going through a life change but all the while keeping a smile on my face and being very supportive of him leaving. He's so excited but inside I'm dying. I know this is bad but I've been shopping online! I know right?! Bad Bad Bad!!!!! HELP ME 

prince3121
prince3121
That is just so sad, you never anticipate the pain to come do you when you are nurturing? Nothing prepares you.
maria718
maria718
You are a wonderful mom. Despite your sad feelings, you are letting him go and will wish him the best. I can imagine how I would feel. I'm a single mom too, and lonely. My daughter is 23 and one day she will leave too. We have to let them go, but we have to get lives outside of our kids also. Not an easy thing to do!
Redflamingo
Redflamingo
Yes letting go is the hardest thing I have ever done. I have often thought that the better we do our jobs as mothers the bigger stronger wings our children have to carry them far. It is so weird when you think about it...we are truly only caretaker of our precious children for such a short time....we raise them to be strong, confident, smart. self sufficient.....We are constantly letting go...each milestone...that we celebrate and are almost giddy over is just one step closer to them leaving us one day!

Sending them to college was hard, a lesson in letting go and trusting that I had helped to prepare for this time in their lives. But, as much as I missed them, I still felt connected to their world. Now, 2 of them are married and 1 is in his last year of college. Sharing them with another family, trying to find my place in their world....It has all been a struggle for me.

I have a good marriage of 31 years, friends...I do have a life outside of my kids ...but....still it has been a struggle. This is something that I think only time can make better. Watching them from a distance following their dreams is exciting...and then keeping home a place that they always want to come home to.

The best thing about becoming an empty nester is that you are closer to getting grandchildren!!! And let me tell you....Grandchildren make everything better! The most uncomplicated relationship that we will ever have....all we have to do is love them!