Pre-Empty Nest Thoughts
Summer is over. Boo.
The house is WAY too quiet. Boohoo.
I just cannot believe how melancholy I feel yet again. It happens every year when my children head back to school … I get those September blues.
And get this … I recently came to the startling realization that in three years my oldest will be off to college. And then three years later my youngest will follow suit. Empty nest, yikes!
What is an involved, fun-loving mom to do? Well, actually she is to get her little self prepared for the inevitable. And that is why, ladies, I so appreciate Barbara and Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest. The sadness I used to feel about my impending empty nest has been replaced with anticipation of all the memories we can make between now and my drive away from that big college campus. It is also causing me to look at what God may have for me to do once my little ones have flown! Now instead of looking toward the empty nest with dread and fear, I am learning to look with expectancy and excitement.
Barbara and Susan helped me to understand that I need to start planning now for my empty nest. Nothing earth-shattering, but simply considering all options through the lens of “what is important right now, while they are still in our home?”. (For example, we were thinking about remodeling our kitchen, but after looking at the costs involved we recognized we would much rather spend that money on a few memorable vacations and mission trips that we can do as a family.)
I have gained so much by reading about the struggles and victories of Barbara and Susan. I have also started my own little “draft” (think athletic teams) to decide which other moms are my potential “picks” for teammates as we go through this empty nest thing! How fun is that? Instead of getting to the empty nest and trying to rustle up some companionship, I am signing up potential players already—with an excellent signing bonus of fun and fellowship leading up to the big day!
If you are not quite in the empty nest, this pre-empty nest mom is suggesting that you, and all those moms you know who have tweens or teens, need to read Barbara and Susan’s book, formulate a plan, and start your own draft!
Thanks, Barbara and Susan, for setting me up for my own little victory and chasing away my September blues!
As my daughter gets a year or two closer to perhaps leaving home, I realize just how close they ALL are to leaving. I need to read Barbara and Susan's guide, too!
God bless,
Sallie
I know how you feel. This was my poetic attempt to explain my feelings. I have Barbara's book but have not read it yet.
I didn’t shop for school supplies this year
I didn’t go get uniforms
or stand in line for fear
That I would miss the latest craze
In the latest fashion trend
or fight the traffic back to school
where car pool lines don’t end
My job has been reduced
to fixing breafast, maybe lunch
but sometimes life’s too hurried
and her time is in a crunch.
I guess I should be thankful
That I have the time of peace
That I can read or sit a while
Enjoy my life of ease
But for all the times
I wished for this
And all the times I pined
I’d do it all again if I could just rewind
The clock to back when
what I now miss
and makes me feel deprived
What’s that you ask
No she’s not gone
It’s just that she can drive!
Allie’s Jr. year 08-09