Empty nest syndrome--What was your feeling on this.

My children left when they went to college, They were three and four years apart so when the last one left It was a sad day but it didn't bother me. I still see them all off and on when they can visit or stop by on the way to somewhere. My youngest still asks for money when he needs it and we give it to him, the other two are successful in your adult life and don't need money....they are almost 50, 45, and 39. I didn't feel the empty nest syndrome.

It took a while for me to have an empty nest. My kids kept moving back. Now, I'm alone, so maybe I was weaned into the empty nest because when I finally hit a totally empty nest two years ago, it was great. I love the peace and quiet.

It was sad but at the same time, they always came back multiplying. I've had my adult children live with me when moving back from out of state or when my youngest's husband was in Iraq. Now I live with my youngest and husband. Turn about.

My husband and I were so depressed when each son left for good. I cried my head off, even though I knew it was coming. However, that meant no more expensive university bills to pay, so we started to travel the world. Fortunately, over the years since they left, we've had them both in our house together without their wives or kids, just like the old days. I'm just thrilled they have beautiful homes of their own, are married, have successful careers, and are happy. Their happiness makes it our happiness. I am lucky that we remain close and love each other to bits. Plus, I love the extra closet space!

Ah no kids here - but I know it from the opposite side- leaving the nest

Here is the perfect song for this so very sad..it always brings a tear to my eye

Never had that problem, must have had a hard life. Much respect to the people who do have that problem though.

I just left my parents nest a couple of years ago

When our son left for university we were technically empty-nesters as he had to live in the city that he attended school in. But he was home for 4 months when the year was over, so it did not feel like we were empty-nesters. And we kept him on our auto insurance so that he did not have a lapse of insurance and would have to start at the bottom when he graduated and got a job and a car, so still paying for things for him made it seem like we was still at home. When he did move out when he was 23 I really felt it. I wondered where it all went to, and struggled with that for a few years.

Relieved to have our own space and time though it's nice to keep in touch.

My kids are young (10 and 6 years old) and I am trying to spend as much time with them as I can. I am afraid of that feeling

One of my first discussions was on this

I had a really hard time with it. It was so difficult when my children moved out. I couldn't even be home when they were moving their stuff. I stuggled for a long time. I felt like I had no purpose in life and that they just didn't need me anymore. It was a difficult time but overtime it got better. I still miss them being young though. Those were the best years of my life.

I lost my only child at age 16 so I never went through this, only a lifetime of grief.

I have a fear of all the kids being gone, we have 5 out of 6 kids still home ranging in age from 27 to 7, so it's going to be a while yet. I know if it ever happens it means that I am old. lol.

It was great I had forty straight years of raising children. The freedom was good.. But we were never alone. By the time the last ones left I had grandchildren near the same age as the youngest ones and than great grandchildren. Both years at Thanksgiving the grandchildren and youngest children have come here to be with us.

i didn't begin having kids until later in life and maybe for that reason it didn't hit me like it did other parents. Although when my older daughter moved out the younger one, who I was closer to at the the time stayed and we got closer. Then when she moved out, the older one moved back in and we are now closer than we were before. When she moves out I think we will be ready unless she marries and moves away from the area, then it could be more difficult.

It didn't really worry me a lot but I know some found/find it very hard. I guess we always had plenty of things to occupy ourselves with.

I am not yet on your stage but I feel you. Maybe that'w what my parents felt when we all left home to go to the city for education then have our own life. We visit them weekly, sometimes once a month when we are all busy. Maybe you just reminisce the past happy memories with them.

I had never heard of this before. Somehow it must be hard for some parents to let their adult children live on their own due to they are used to see them around. In my opinion those people who go to live on their own, should make sure that their parents are aware of their lives and be in touch with them more often so they don't feel lonely.