best transition ever: grandparenting
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Articles & Stories

When Junior Heads to College, Helicopter Parents Turn to Empty-Nest Coaches

By Tara WeissJan. 28, 2024 9:00 am ET Originally Published at WSJ.com After years shepherding children from one minute to the next, moms and dads hire $250-an-hour counselors to help them learn to live on their own Kenny Hayslett recalled bittersweet feelings when his oldest child left for college. But he didn’t expect the profound sadness when
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Unfulfilled Relationship Conversations

What role are you playing in your close relationships?  Are you the intellect sharing the news and best book you ever read? The creative, the spiritual, the leader, the entertainer, the shoulder to cry on, the light in the room, the one who waits for cue cards and then you respond, the money advisor and
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Her birthday passed and to be honest it was a little sad

By Natalie Caine | Well, her birthday passed and to be honest it was a little sad. No decorations at home, no favorite dinner for her, no being together to make wishes and watch her open her presents as her friends gathered at the house. The good news is, she has wonderful new friends, who
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College orientation and good bye from college

By Natalie Caine | It seems the kids biggest issue being freshmen in college, is….. will I have good friends….their social life. How will I know who’s a jerk and who’s for real? One student said, I almost feel disloyal to my old friends if I make deep new connections, but I know that is
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Empty Nester, what do I want to be when I grow up…

By Anonymous Mom | I am an empty nester who loves being a mom.  I don’t love my career anymore and now I have to figure out “What DO I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP?” Coping with the quiet house and no fussing over meals, and soccer games is a big hole for
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Second year away from home

By Natalie Caine | People ask me if the loss during empty nest gets any better and the answer for me is Yes. Yes, that I know how the routine goes. Yes, I have filled in some of my own needs that were on hold. Yes, I know she is growing and on her search
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My sophomore daughter just surprised me by calling from her rehearsal

By Natalie Caine | Valentines weekend one of my daughter’s friends was coming home and asked if she could stop by… I wasn’t sure why. And as it turned out, she simply wanted to come by and visit with me.. WOW that felt great.. I have known her since they were in first grade together
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Sometimes you just feel an underlying sadness

By Natalie Caine | Sometimes you just feel an underlying sadness. It is not predictable. It just shows up as a time to cry a little , to remember. When I see parents with young children, it seems the same phrase keeps coming into my head , OH THEY have such a long way to
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Empty Nester, you are on your way

By Natalie Caine | Make dates with your spouse Get new music and new foods for home Change some of the furniture, but not your child’s room Sit outside Take a walk and hold hands, maybe even skip along Not being a full time parent can be so freeing, so start your couple dream list.
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Freshman year has ended and she is home for the summer

By Natalie Caine | Freshman year has ended and she is home for the summer. My husband and I, as well as my girlfriends all talked at different times about the adjustment to the “kids” being back in the house…all the common issues of them staying up late, the noise, the messy rooms, the food,
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Freshman year has ended and she is home for the summer

Freshman year has ended and she is home for the summer. My husband and I, as well as my girlfriends all talked at different times about the adjustment to the “kids” being back in the house…all the common issues of them staying up late, the noise, the messy rooms, the food, laundry, schedules changing ,
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How to gather ideas for a positive new path without children

By Natalie Caine | Send five post cards to friends just to touch in and feel connected with this empty nest vacancy. Take a walking meditation with a “seed” of an idea and let nature feed your idea with thoughts like, I could do that, or I could add that, or I could let so
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Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org