Web About Health - Women's-Issues Hows Your Empty NestThe Kids have all left the nest (or just about?), the house is empty and you’re wondering what you’re going to do with your time now. Seems like it just “happened” all of a sudden for some while others knew the time was near and dreaded when the last child (maybe even the first or perhaps only?) left the nest to head off to college or whatever other plans they may have made. So many Moms (and yes, Dads too!) have a difficult time adjusting to this time even though you know that this is all part of ‘the plan’ from the time they are born. After all we did the same thing didn’t we? Went off to college, got a job and moved out (eventually), or married and started our own life. And yet, it draws near and you find yourself almost in a panic wondering what you are going to do with the rest of your life! You spend so much of your time ‘doing’ for the kids from the time they are born; you find your life pretty much revolves around theirs. Even for a lot of the Moms that have worked outside the home for several years, it’s pretty much the same. Get up in the morning, get kids up make breakfast, make sure they’re ready for school, go to work only to try and make sure you get off in time to make a ball game or other school activities, (not to mention the times they are home sick from school!) your life is still pretty much revolving around the kids! And even though, as mentioned, you know this time is coming, it’s kind of hard to just shut all of this down and go on with what amounts to a “new life”. But, it’s here and now you have to adjust and deal with it! Much easier said then done for some. First off do give yourself a BIG pat on the back; you deserve it. You have raised a child with the confidence to go out and face that ‘big wide world’ and now you need to give yourself some adjusting time. After all it’s almost like a time of “mourning” for some, you feel like you have lost a part of yourself, which, of course, is NOT true. Now is the time to find that “Old You” or create a “New You”! So many think their time as “Mom” is over with, which is also not true. It just revolves into a different phase. You’ll always be their Mom, even though it might feel at times that they are shutting you out. Remember, they are going through their adjusting period too! They settle down after a while, you start adjusting to their being out of the house, then that more “adult” relationship begins which can be very rewarding when you start seeing your ‘child’ becoming an adult. Meanwhile, it’s time to start thinking of you and what you want to do with this new phase of your life. If you find yourself just completely baffled at what you can do, get a piece of paper and pen and start jotting down things you like to do or things you use to like or want to do when the kids were small but didn’t have time for. This may even be a good time to jot down some of the “new” projects you’d like to try. You might be surprised at how fast the paper fills up. Do you like to sew? Cook? Go Fishing? Climb mountains? Do crafts of any kind? Some are really getting into Scrap Booking right now. Been thinking of getting a part time (or full time) job? Maybe if you’ve been working you can change jobs or go for that promotion? Possibly, you’ve been working and now want to quit? LOL, the list could be endless. It’s all about what you want to do now. Some Moms have even gone back to school and earned degrees and started all new careers. Seems like whether we like it or not, the kids grow up and we have to move on with our lives (they certainly are!). Don’t you think it’s what they would like to see anyway, that we are adjusting and moving on, after all, we don’t really want to make them feel guilty for growing up, do we? This time of our lives can be what we make it, so let’s make the best of it! Remember also, that a lot of us are starting to go through Menopause at this time of our lives, which doesn’t exactly help (alas, the trials of ‘womanhood’!). So if you are really experiencing a lot of depression and finding it hard to work though all of this, don’t be afraid or shy to talk to your family doctor or minister. You may even want to consider professional counseling. It’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Think of your health and well-being. Try to make the most out of your life and be happy and content. For those of you who would like to communicate with other moms going though this “Empty Nest Phase” please feel free to check out the forum on Empty Nest Moms, “Live After the Nest Empties”. You’ll find you really aren’t alone or “going crazy” as some of the members have put it, plus you’ll receive lots of support from those that know almost exactly how you are feeling! You’ll find many topics to choose from as we have moms that are in different phases of this Empty Nest, all ready to jump in with support and suggestions. Don’t forget, “you’re always going to be their Mom!” Jeanine Herrin Empty Nest Moms www.emptynestmoms.com Be sure to visit the new Empty Nest “On-Line” Magazine! www.emptynestmagazine.com About the author: Jeanine Herrin is the creator of Empty Nest Moms, a website for Moms going through that Empty Nest phase, to find loads of support from many members on the message forum "Life After the Nest Empties", who know just what you're going through! And now brought to you my ENMoms is the new "On-Line" Empty Nest Magazine, with a mixture of features, fun and resources from the web along with several monthly columns of great interest.Read similar articles: Kuan Yin, Chinese Goddess of CompassionMannatech Plus and Hormones The Perfect Body Trials and Tribulations of a Fitness Trainer Is Perfectionist Thinking Supporting or Sabotaging Your Success at Weight Loss and Lifestyle Change? Dressing For Less Shopping Tips: What to Look for When Shopping for Tops 7 Mistakes That Will Ruin a Professional Image Menopause Relief Eating For Two
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