Change is around the corner. The excitement of planning and celebrating, laughs and tears, leads to great memories and endings. Fears of no dream jobs or any job, living at home, needing another car, privacy, independence, routines shifting, finances draining, you want solutions and sometimes it is a trial and error before peace arrives. Peace
Read More
A sweet mother called and said, “Tell me what is going on with me and how to fix it?” She isn’t the only mother in tears or father weeping wondering, how did we get here? How is it we are empty nesters and sad? We always knew they would leave home but we did not
Read More
Congratulations to all of you! Tips of the Day. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer. 1. Carry extra Kleenex. I passed out cotton handkerchiefs to my immediate family while we were waiting for the ceremony to begin. 2. Bring
Read More
Graduation is around the corner. Time to build a new community and support for this major life transition.
The photo is faded but the memory is vibrant. Do you have photos you revisit from your early days of being a new mom? My daughter asked me,” What was the scariest part of being a new mom?” I told her driving home, sitting in the back seat of the car with her next
Read More
In celebration of baby boomers , parenting, grand parenting, aunting, empty nesters , and those about to empty their nest, let’s say who you are! I have inner strength and compassion, frosted in humor and caked in curiosity. What would you say you have? Don’t be shy about naming it. Here is what other
Read More
My daughter lives too far away for us to get together this year. Sweet mom died. Are you in this emptiness for Mother’s Day? What is on your wish list to celebrate your devotion to your children? One mom bravely told me she doesn’t mean to sound ungrateful but this year she doesn’t have to
Read More
It was so exciting speaking with parents and grandparents who were helping each other with remembering and celebrating prom with their families. I had this photo of eggs and asked, “What hatched that surprised you?” They were expecting party photos which we also had but this one caught them off guard. Surprises are
Read More
“I’ve tried volunteering, book groups, swimming, and of course my work, but nothing is relieving me from missing being their daily parent.” This is one of the statements parents share with me while traveling this challenging transition. Our mind has the shoulds and coulds chattering away. The heart weeps and feels comfort from others. You
Read More
Empty Nesters and their chicks are sitting on a fence. No one really knows what will happen in regards to the job market or how long they will fluff their nest, again. It is not looking good for some grads and for others; they are living their dream launch of the paycheck. They
Read More
My daughter and I email each other pictures that we have taken. These are for EARTH DAY. I love it when she asks if she can print and keep some of mine. I am self taught and again, inspired by her joy of photography. Until I had an empty nest, I didn’t make time to
Read More
Earth Day is a celebration of our environment. For me, a big shift came when my daughter would bring home her excitement from school, about how we can make a difference for today and our future. I had to be a good role model, right? She doesn’t live at home since she is a college
Read More
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org