How To Be Prepared For An Empty Nest
Author: Joann Gipson
As you spend the years looking after children and making them your priority in life, the fact that one day they will be independent and fly the nest seems to be light years away. Yet the day they grow up is inevitable, and one day your kids will pack up and leave for college or a home of their own as they begin a new, exciting journey in life. For many, this adjustment is extremely heart-wrenching. It is not the first time and certainly will not be the last time that parents get disheartened at the sudden change in their lives. Don't worry. You can get through this difficult time.
Before sobbing or celebrating, whichever is your tendency when you first come home to an empty nest, remember that you will always be a parent. Your children do not need you in the same way, but they still need a relationship with you. When children are small, they are dependent on you. It is your responsibility to give them the skills and knowledge they need to become independent people. After they have grown, this dependent relationship develops into something more. They may still need some guidance, and there is still a lot you can teach them. You will notice, though, that they will even teach you some things. The previous connection turns into something even more special: a friendship where each person has an equal role.
You and your spouse were once an entity that existed without children. The relationship between couples in a marriage tends to be altered with the arrival of kids. With your children gone, you can rediscover the joy of spending time with your spouse. It is time once again for you to be a twosome, planning vacations, outings, and activities for just the two of you. This is the time for you to relax in each other's company. Stay up to watch the sunrise and then sleep until noon. The choice is yours. Seize this opportunity to re-establish the relationship you once cherished above all else. For single parents, this is the perfect opportunity to go out and meet new people.
It is difficult to think of starting a new venture or going on a world trip while the responsibility of raising children is all-encompassing. These dreams can now come true.
Time is always at a premium when you're raising children. When they have moved on to start families of their own, you will have all the time you want to do the things you have dreamed about doing while you wait for grandchildren to steal your heart a second time around. With more time on your hands, you can consider advancing your education, finally working on your novel or taking the time out to exercise more regularly.
Despite your best intentions, the departure of your children will certainly affect you in one way or another. The best way of going through this transition is to slowly restructure your life. However, it is advisable not to rush into things. Take time to figure out what you wish to do. Define your revamped goals and chart out a new course for your life. Your duties as a parent are to raise and care for your children. You have fufilled this role well and your children are likely to do you proud. The next step now is to focus on the second most important person, you. It is definitely payback time for a job well done.
