Empty Nesters Support thread

[Blueface]

Never easy Dave.
Both of mine are now gone.
Big house for only two.
Consolation is they come back. They really do.
Grandson is over just about every day and the cycle of life begins again.
Your "empty nest" is never really empty when kids leave.
They don't want to admit it but they will be back, in a different form.

[tsolomon]

Dave,

Our daughter is 22 and back at home for her last college semester, but she was out of the country for the past 6 months. We missed her and worried about her, but that's a parent's job. I think it's somewhat easier being an empty nester, but you always worry about them when you can't see them.

[KenS]

My two oldest are done with college already, but my last one is going into his senior year in high school. The tough part is that he goes to HS in Switzerland, so when he leaves, we won't see him until Christmas. Gonna be a huge change around the house when he goes back (grocery bill will be way lower, things will be put away, lights will be turned off at night, etc )

I already came up with a business trip that will allow me to go over with him for the first day again this year, but that's for my benefit, not his. He's more independent than I'm ready for him to be

I know what you mean Dave.

[garyatmaui]

Dude, Woodstock, now you are really dating yourself.......Jimi Hendricks and the Star Spangled Banner

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Awwwww!

Wait maybe I am...

Is your moms name..

Kait
Lynn
Gail
Sara
Katrina
Ann
Julie
That drunk girl at woodstock
.....

[Ski1215]

Not quite as old as the rest of yall, but I helped my brother pack for school today. Hes such a pain in the balls when hes home, but its so quiet with him gone. I still think I enjoy it when he's gone, but hes not the sharpest tool in the shed so I worry a little bit.

He would be the first one to say "Sure, bring the keg to my house!"

[Major Captain Silly]

I'm taking my daughter to Bloomington for early move-in this weekend. I'm freaking out a little.

MCS

[Cigarmark]

While I don't have any kids to be empty nested with, my wife deployed to GTMO for the next six months. I did not expect it to be as hard as it is. I knew I was going to miss her but this sucks. She is in Gulfport till Friday and then onto GTMO. I hope I qualify for this support thread!

[smokin5]

Been 10 years since we waved "bye-bye" to our young'un as he left for college. Our parties have been MUCH better since he hasn't been around to influence.

[smokeyandthebandit05]

I know how you guys kinda feel. All my friends are goin to college and out of our group of 8 half are goin out of state for college. I cant imagine what it is like for a parent who has lived with their kid for 18 years and to just have them up and leave possisbly go to the other side of the country.


---------------- Now playing: Alan Jackson - God Blessed Texas via FoxyTunes

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Most of you here are not old enough to have to deal with this.. but for some of us the end of summer is a difficult time. This weekend and next most colleges go back in session and our lil ones leave the nest.

Jane probably deals with it better than I do. I think her being around elementary kids all day in the library helps alot. I just get sort of depressed and feel like there is a hole in my life. In the past filled in up with the order button on carts around the world. Got a new car this year which might not quite do the trick. Maybe a new hobby... bridge anyone?

Funny, Hallie was a ghost all summer between work, triathlons and seeming 24/7 boyfriend time but at least i got to see her sleeping when I left for work (or vice versa) . Heading to Chitown to drop her of this weekend and I'm sure Jane will invoke the "shopping therapy" rule for the trip. I know when Kait decides to fly in to join us for a bon voyage that they are only trying to help me get over the sadness by replacing it with "shopping anger". I feel the love already.

Anyone else with kids leaving for school soon?

Thanks for pouring salt in an old wound................

Or, where was this thread a year and a half ago?

It's a good thought that we men try to hide, but most of us have, or will experience it at least once, maybe many more.

I never gave a thought to how big of a hole it would leave in my inner soul when Jeremy grew up and left home. I thought I had a handle on it for five years of college (one of them was even way off in Arizona).

WRONG. At least while he was in Tuscaloosa, I had a hunting club 15 minutes away from him that we could spend many weekends at.

The real rip comes when they move 2000 miles away. It's hard to let go, but that is part of the life cycle. I will be over it in the next decade or two, I'm sure!

At least I still have my daughter at home! (well, that's not entirely accurate - between school several days a week at local college, work several days a week, and then time spent with THAT GUY.......... I see her half a dozen hours a week!! Breaking me in for when I'll walk her down some chapel aisle and lose her also!)

Damn you Dave, got me thinking about losing another one. Better go find a hankie, or at least fix me a strong drink!

[SmokeyJoe]

Dave, I feel your pain, Bro.

My daughter graduated and is working as a nurse - has a place of her own across town. We dropped off my son to begin his Sophomore year at Appalachian State. We just had our dog of 16 years put to sleep... so the house REALLY feels empty.

I know you are proud of what your kids have accomplished... but it all just happens too darn quickly!

I'm hoping Carlos is right and that things will cycle back around.

[freakygar]

Well, I did it. Dropped him off today. All moved in and on his own. All I could do was tell him I loved him, I was proud of him and hugged him tighter than I ever had in his life.

GD this sucks!

BBL need to send him a text.

[macms]

Welcome to the golden thread Dave.

My granddaughter is 22 and in her 3rd year at college. My grandson is 20 and in the Corps. I won't live to see my Great ones grow up, but I hope to at least hold one.

When the kids leave the nest and the g-kids leave there gramps there is a certain finality to it all and the comfort of knowing we did our part in this golden thread. And as Joe said, "it just happens too darn quickly!"

[duhman]

Originally Posted by macms

Welcome to the golden thread Dave.

My granddaughter is 22 and in her 3rd year at college. My grandson is 20 and in the Corps. I won't live to see my Great ones grow up, but I hope to at least hold one.

When the kids leave the nest and the g-kids leave there gramps there is a certain finality to it all and the comfort of knowing we did our part in this golden thread. And as Joe said, "it just happens too darn quickly!"

I think I will give my granddaughter another hug.
Hey you never know about seeing them grow up. I'm in the middle of a five generation family right now. I don't know if I want to think of the next 50 years too much right now.

[RGD]

Dropped my daughter off three weeks ago in her new apartment (living off campus) - and it's still strange not to see her car parked out front of the home. She is doing pretty good, getting to know the area - and finally found a job last week. Working in the campus book store which is run by Barnes and Noble which for her is a dream job as half of her pay check is spent there any way <laughs>.
We text each other at least every other day - but her mother gets upset if she does not hear from her daily.
Not a total empty nest as her sister is still here - senior in high school - but having your first born leave the home certainly tugs at the heart.


Ron