Active Discussion Groups
- Everyday Thoughts on Empty Nesters
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ocmama
It's definitely quiet. Remember the days when the house was filled with noise, stomping around upstairs, fighting over toys, laughter, singing and gallons of milk?on 11/09/10Reply
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Lyn
My daughter is 30 and is worried about not having kids. I tell her there are enough people in the world, concentrate on her friends.on 08/06/10Replygraminator
There are plenty of kids who need mothering, whether they have mothers of their own or not. There are many, many ways to engage with kids and be significant influences in their lives. Is your daughter saying she WANTS to be pregnant and be a mother? or that she worries that she hasn't done it, but 'should'? That is for her to explore, and thank goodness we live in a time when she has choices of all kinds.on 08/07/10Reply
ocmama
Oh to be 30...and footloose and fancy free! Your daughter is young...when the time is right, she'll move into that next phase of her life. But, for now, she should enjoy the phase she is in. Because once she becomes a mother...she will be one for the rest of her life. There is no turning back, so she might as well run around, focus on herself, sleep in, have fun with her friends and do everything that she can't do with a Baby Bjorn strapped on!on 08/07/10Reply
sdchargers13
Even though your advice is sound, there is an inner need for many women to have children of their own. I believe it's a personal choice that each woman should consider and decide for herself. :)on 11/09/10Reply
ocmama
Yes, I agree. There is definitely a physiological need to have babies...I certainly felt it, but it sounds like Lyn's daughter might not be married?! Or, she's still young and just started trying?! I have a lot of friends that had trouble conceiving and when the timing was right (with a little help from God AND science) they had a baby...and then another. So, I sincerely hope it happens for her and chances are it will. But, in the meantime, she shouldn't stress out about it too much, because that doesn't help, but hurt the situation. Don't you think?on 11/09/10Reply
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MomDude
I'm not exactly an EN (empty nester) yet, my last child just graduated high school and will be off to college in September (but, only 80 miles away). So I guess I'm just thinking a lot about what changes this will bring to me as a person. I raised 3 boys and my oldest is 31, so I've been doing this mothering thing for a long time. My other issue is, I have 2 grandbabies that live 500 miles away. I still work, and I've been exhausting myself driving back and forth as much as possible. I don't want to be a stranger to my grandchildren, but I don't want to kill myself either. How much is enough?on 07/07/10Replyocmama
MomDude - the greatest thing is SKYPE (video calls). Just download it free onto your computer and your son/daughter wil have to download on theirs, too. It's as easy as dialing the phone and you will be able to see your grandchildren any time you want to send smiles and catch up. Then you can do the drive to catch up on all the kisses! (-:on 07/08/10Reply
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raisingable
I'm an empty nester of <a href="http://www.raisingable.com">four children </a>. How much time is the right amount of time to spend with them? Three live nearby, one doesn't. I call him once a week, or vice versa, and that feels right. thoughts?on 07/01/10Replyspunkymom
I would think that as much time as they want to spend with you. Once a week is a great call for talking on the pohone..kids call grandparents once a week, right? so that seems great! Do your kids seem annoyed?on 07/01/10Reply
MomDude
If it feels right to you, you may have answered your own question. Maybe if you just let him know that if he needs more contact you'll be available?on 07/07/10Reply
raisingable
I have been following their lead. Like most aspects of parenting, it's a give -and-takeon 07/09/10Reply
ocmama
I grew up with a family dinner night once a week. It is something we counted on and a great time to catch up with my grandmother and other family members.on 07/12/10Reply
