Empty Nest Syndrome, does it exist?
By dlkuku
@dlkuku (1935)
United States
February 9, 2013 10:26pm CST
I am not only divorced now, but all my kids are grown up and gone.
I have nostalgic moments, for instance, Christmas, when I think of them as they were as children, and miss those moments, but for the most part, I am just fine alone.
I work, come home, go out to eat, go for walks, I have time for my art, reading, watching tv...and I can watch what I want.
I can eat when I want to, or not.
I don't have to have a meal ready on the table. I don't have to play taxi service, or girl scout leader, nurse, housewife, teacher, or counselor (for those boyfriend broke up with me times).
I can go to the bathroom, by myself, and don't have to worry about a kid knocking on the door.
I don't have to cook to feed an army any longer. Or worry about buying school clothes, or band equipment any more.
It's nice in so many ways...
but sometimes I really wish I could snuggle my babies at night, read them a bedtime story, say a prayer and kiss them good night.
Unfortunately, they don't fit on my lap anymore.
2 people like this
5 responses
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
10 Feb 13
Don't know exactly but my mom keeps asking me if I'm interested to move with her and my dad in another province. I usually decline and say that I have work to do(which is true) and I can't work there because the place cannot gurantee a stable internet connection which I need for my work. Also, the reaosn I refuse is that Ia m giving away my 'freedom' and I know for sure that the issues between us will rise w in the span of less than 24 hours. I love my parents but I think I ma enjoying my space for the moment and the fact nobody looks over my shoulder. By the time they retire and settle their business in their home today, we'll be sharing space again unless I get married.
Also, I don't want to get in the way with their misunderstandings. I think I am entitled to be excepted from that scenes and quit being the referee.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
11 Feb 13
Quite yes and quite no. I'm hardly a homemaker and I live like a bachelor guy. My parents left me a house that needs taken care of - which I do at weekends only. Iknow my mom wants us to be closer or anything of that line but I guess life goes that way. Anyway, the moment she has a grand kid, she'll find soemtihng to fill her 'nest' again. She just have competition with the kid's mother.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
10 Feb 13
I do believe that the empty nest syndrome does eist. A mother or a father spends so much of their life taking care of the needs of their children. When the children grow up and venture out on their own, it does leave a vod that the parent find difficulty in filling again.
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
10 Feb 13
it's good that your are transitioning easy. i only have a few more years with my son, then he is off on his own. i don't know who i will be after my last one leaves the house. i am already hoping that she will stay with me after she is grown up. i may feel different when that time comes.
@vandana7 (99036)
• India
10 Feb 13
It exists even for those who have their partners and kids with them. Part of it is due to our physiology. Like post patum I suppose. Nevertheless, women who touch their menopause often feel as if life has gone ..now there is nothing..its a natural thing..it will pass. You will find new ways to spend time. Dont worry. :)
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
10 Feb 13
They say it does exist and mostly it starts if the children leave home and the mother discovers her whole life was about the children and there is nothing left over to do anymore. So with mothers who do not have their own social life, a job/carreer next to being mother and housewife, who's whole personality is build around the children. If I read your discussion I doubt you have the empty nest syndrome. What you miss, the nostalgic moments are normal. Personally I am looking forward to get each day more and more freedom (can't say I will miss that knocking on the toiletdoor, the screaming through the door if I take a shower, Always waking me up ...).
