Empty Nest: Opportunity Or Crisis?
Aus Salespoint
Written by:Newton Yeager
You would think that 18 years is a long time to spend with your children. Yet those precious years whiz past before you know it. Oh sure, at first it feels it will go on forever. Parenting is not an easy task when you consider the long nights spent awake trying to pacify a crying infant after an equally long and difficult day with your child.
After the first few years, time begins to zip by a lot quicker until you wake up one morning with the sad realization that your kids are no longer kids and are now old enough to leave your home. When that happens, it’s hard to avoid the heart-wrenching adjustments that you will be forced to make. Yet, if you mentally prepare yourself for this event, you will be better equipped to cope with it.
When your children leave, your relationship does not stop. The relationship simply changes. Your relationship will transition from a parent/child relationship to more of a peer friendship. They no longer are fully dependent on you to teach them and train them. They have grown into adults and have something to offer you as well. You can both learn things from one another as long as you are both open to the idea. Your children may be adults but they will still need guidance and love from you. You will always be your child's mother or father no matter what you feel like when you first come home to an empty nest.
Though many may be upset at the thought of an empty house, this can actually be a great opportunity to rekindle the romance in your marriage. It is common for parents to dedicate themselves to their children and put the marriage aside for the more pressing issues at hand. This new stage in your life presents a golden opportunity for you to focus on your relationship with your partner once more. Use a portion of the time you used to spend on your children to focus on your spouse's needs instead. It is time to fall in love all over again with your beloved. No longer do you have to have await the occasional based on your children's schedules. You can do anything you want, whenever you want, wherever you want, and you don't have to tell anyone. You could also simply spend some much needed quiet time in each other's arms.
Single parents have a great opportunity as well. You can now renew your old friendships. You can also go to a few social functions and make new acquaintances without having to call a babysitter.
Now is the time to begin pursuing that hobby you have always wanted to try. Become a member of a sports team to get a bit of exercise. Try that marathon you've always talked about. You can finish up that masters degree that you always wanted to get. This is a much needed break for you from your everyday responsibilities as a parent. You can start living for yourself now, following your dreams.
Don’t spend all of your free time worrying about your kids. Take credit in the fact that you have brought them up well. You have taught them right and equipped your kids with everything that they need to be successful in life.
It is now time to turn the attention back to you. However, it is perfectly fine to proceed slowly in the beginning while you take the time to adjust to this new phase. You want to give yourself time to adjust to the new empty nest first. When you begin to adapt and feel less at a loss in your empty nest, feel free to step out and decide what you wish to do with your new-found freedom. And don't be afraid to call the kids occasionally. This will reassure you and help you move on toward the new and exciting life that is awaiting you.
