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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Timna6277 07/08/2023

I am 65 years old, divorced, and ever since my children have left home I torture myself with memories of all the parenting mistakes I made and wish to relive my mothering years, as illigical as that is. I want to be young and mother them to bits, it is so painful that I cry most days.

JournalReader 07/12/2023

Most good parents I know have so much regret and do so much self-reflection. I think it's normal to have regrets and wish we could take all our experience and knowledge back in time and have a re-do.

Perhaps you could use it as an opportunity to talk with your kids. Ask them if you made any harmful mistakes and reassure them you wish you could have done better.

An empty nest is a hard life change.

AmorFati3 11/28/2023

Timna - It took me a solid 5 years post children leaving home to be able to get through a day without feeling their absences in my heart, and body, every minute. It was a heaviness, a profound sadness. I still love each of them with my very soul, and miss them more than I thought someone could miss another human being.

I really like what JournalReader said - what you are feeling is normal, and the suggestion to talk with your children (all hope that they are willing to have a meaningful conversation and give you the opportunity to be heard).

Please take care.

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