Parenthood goes by too quickly. When you have young children, you may think that you will be excited when they finally move out. However, you can ask anyone who is an empty nester how they feel, and they will most likely tell you they miss their children. It would be best if you are prepared ahead of time for life as an empty nester.
What is an Empty Nester
An empty nester is a parent who no longer has children living at home with them. Most of the time, this means that their children are now adults. However, it could be anything that takes the children out of the home.
No Children at Home:
When you become a parent, you spend the next 18 years of your life dedicated to another living being. After your child finally comes of age and moves out, you become an empty nester. Some parents love the life of an empty nester. However, many parents find the initial transition rather tricky.
Pros and Cons of the Empty Nest
There are both benefits and drawbacks to having your children move out of the home. Your personality will determine which are the most important to you. Some parents wish more than anything in the world that their children would move back. Others would not change a thing.
Independence:
As a parent, you must put aside your needs for those of your children. In the beginning, this cannot be easy. However, by the time that your children are adults, you will be used to it. After they move out, you will have newfound independence. This will take some adjustment.
Time:
An empty Nester will have much more time for themselves. As a parent, you are typically spending most of your time handling the needs of your children. An empty nester no longer needs to worry about such things.
Loneliness:
The most considerable difficulty for most parents will be loneliness. After living with another person for 18 years, it cannot be easy to live without them. However, most parents find they adjust to the solitude after a few years.
Purpose:
Some parents struggle to find a new sense of purpose after their children move out. When you spend 18 years of your life dedicated to something, it cannot be easy to turn the page. We recommend taking some time for yourself and doing some self-reflection. This will help you to discover a new sense of purpose.
Tips for the Empty Nest Life
Time is an essential part of the healing process. You will inevitably feel some sadness when your children move out. However, if you keep yourself occupied before you know it, things will improve. Our best recommendation is to find new ways to occupy your time in the meantime.
Hobbies:
As a parent, you most likely did not have the time that you needed to pursue hobbies. Now that you are living on your own, you have all of the time in the world. Use that time to pursue hobbies that you did not have time for in the past.
Traveling:
Traveling is a great way to keep yourself occupied when you become an empty nester. Novelty is one of the essential things in life. When you travel, you get to see and experience new things.
Finances:
As an empty nester, you may be surprised at how your bills are reduced. Groceries, gas, and even your Direct Energy bill will all be lower than you are used to. Don’t blow those savings, put your new-found money towards new hobbies and travel, or even just save for retirement.
The Life of an Empty Nester
The life of an empty nester does not need to be wrong. As long as you prepare for it ahead of time, it could be the best change in your adult life. You will have more time and money for yourself. Use all of it to your advantage.
