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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW FROM PARENTS WHOSE KIDS ARE LEAVING OR HAVE LEFT THE NEST?

July 22, 2006 | by Natalie Caine | 4 Comments

Next week this web will offer a survey, a poll on the home page. What do you want to know or talk about with other parents?
— How long the pain lasts (example: a month, on and off for a year, more than three years)?
— How many are single parents?
— How often do you talk to your kids? Daily, Emails, Cell phone, weekly?
— Why did they leave home? Work, College, Marriage, Serve our country?
— How many children do you have- daughters and sons?
— How do you comfort yourself – eat in bed, watch TV, cry, talk to yourself
— Where have you met a new friend – gym, coffee shop, bookstore?
These are just examples. You can suggest the funny part of life and the tearful, the joys and the challenges that you want to know about.
Just add your comments here or send an email. natalie@emptynestsupport.com
Thanks for taking your time to think about this.
Natalie

4 Responses

  1. Marcia says:
    August 27, 2006 at 2:36 pm

    I just discovered this web site, fifteen minutes ago. I am in such need of finding people to share this pain with. I am a single mom (12 years), and raised my three girls alone. Ex was not accessible to my children and,eventually remarried.
    All three of my girls are in places where they were not going to return home, my youngest being 20.
    I can not begin to describe the ache in my heart and the feeling of “displacment” that exists…I feel so lost and uncertain of what my role is in life, now. I was offered employment in another state, sold my home and relocated, which intensifies all of the scary emotions that I am experiencing. Lonliness is a constant feeling because I haven’t made any new friends yet, so that is why when I found this website, I jumped on. I realize that I’ve encountered several life altering experiences all at the same time but, the most painful is the empty nest. As in the other stories that I’ve read…it’s happened so quickly and I need to relate to other women going through this emotional roller coaster. Suggestions for coping are so very welcome!

    Reply
  2. Virginia Kellog says:
    October 12, 2006 at 12:45 pm

    Good Morning,
    I just this morning discovered your website,Thurs.Oct.12,’06.All I can say is Thank God. I have not yet read all the information, but I did listen to the Lifetime Radio Interview. I am a mother of a daughter of 28,and son of 19,who recently left for college.I have fallen into a depression,which is very scarry! I feel like I must find help in order to get thru this journey, if this is possible, I do feel confident it will assist me in some way.i would like to thank you for caaring enough to share. This is indeed new territory.At lest now that I have found this site,I know I am not going crazy or in this alone. THANK YOU Natalie Cain, so very much.
    Sincerely,
    Virginia Kellogg

    Reply
  3. Sarah Kraner says:
    October 15, 2006 at 1:39 am

    I am very happy to find a site like this. I consider it an answered prayer. I have read the posts and I don’t feel so alone tonight. Here it is 1:30 a.m. Sunday and I’m not sleeping. Today I moved the baby out of the house. Where did the time go. I think the last one is the hardest. I found myself calling for her when I saw something on television that she would have been interested in. I have tons of material I could read on this subject but it wouldn’t make it personal like this is. You can’t talk to a book It hasn’t been an easy week. I have a chronic illness so my passion for going back to college is not a possibility. Its hard when you have set goals for the time when you have gotten your family raised. I’m not old 43 (I won’t be shy) but my health is not good. I have to move forward and be grateful for being able to stay at home and do whatever I want. ???????? Here I am way out in the country. I don’t see anyone for days. This winter will be different I keep telling myself as I try to work off the 50 pds I gained after neck surgery. I don’t know this person in the mirror. I promised myself I would never be one of those people who made the family pets their children but I have. Such a strange feeling. The sandwich time. Kids grown ageing parents. Well I’m going to get busy and excercise as much as possible. I’m not going down. Someone said that a crisis is just an opportunity for new things. Grateful that I have found others who have been there and are there. Have a good week!!!!

    Reply
  4. Sarah Kraner says:
    October 15, 2006 at 1:49 am

    One more post. If you like to read there is a book club on Barnes and Noble web page. Every month they have several books you can pick from to read with others at the same time. Than they have discussion and more over the net. I found a book in November that I think women would really enjoy. Especially with what is going on in the world. Three women share their faiths. One christian, one muslim, one jewish. They evidently have mastered communication. Three friends that see past differences. Thought you might enjoy!!

    Reply

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Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org