In the next few weeks, teary-eyed mommies will be sending their babies off to kindergarten and their bigger babies off to college.
My children are in their 30s and I still remember the lump in my throat, not sure if it was out of worry for them or loneliness for myself.
Grade school moms will see their kids in a few hours and probably wonder why they were so mournful in the morning. But, those mothers who helped moved their last-born out of the house, most likely forever, will be going through some trauma and drama.
And asking themselves -- Now what?
Not to worry. There’s plenty of things to do other than be a mommy. And you don’t even have to quit your job or reconnect with the hubby ... unless you want to.
Here’s a few random ideas in no particular order:
1. Take a writing class
2. Go back to school
3. Learn to knit
4. Plant a vegetable garden
5. Plant a flower garden
6. Take tennis lessons
7. Take golf lessons
8. Join a book club
9. Start a book club
10. Start a part-time business
11. Get a part-time job
12. Start a happy-hour group
13. Get a pet
14. Get another pet
15. Plan a trip
16. Go camping
17. Join a weekly/monthly game night
18. Start a weekly/monthly game night
19. Take dance lessons
20. Find a dance group
21. Join an exercise group
22. Volunteer for your favorite charity
23. Start a walking group
24. Join a gym
25. Join a trip group
26. Learn a musical instrument
27. Follow a local band
28. Go antiquing
29. Renovate your home
30. Redecorate your home
31. Buy a motorcycle
32. Join a motorcycle club
33. Join a car club
34. Join a meet up group at www.meetup.com
35. Get crafty
36. Learn to sail
37. Go fishing
38. Go shopping with friends
39. Join a bird watching group
40. Start a bird watching group
41. Take a photography class
42. Join a journaling group
43. Make jewelry
44. Take a jewelry making class
45. Join a quilting group
46. Take a computer class
47. Join a cooking class
48. Join a theatre group
49. Take a drawing class
50. Join a nature group
Hopefully, some of these ideas can get you busy doing things you like and take your mind off your empty nest. It’s also okay to do nothing.
Relax. You’ll figure it out.
Have some ideas of your own? Feel free to let us know.
Sources and further reading:
Empty Nest? 10 Fun Ways To Spend Your Time. Huffingtonpost.com Web. 20, August, 2012
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/15/empty-nest-10-fun-activities_n_1601039.html
Six steps to getting over an 'empty nest'. MSNBC. Web. 20, August, 2012
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/5818627/ns/today-today_hidden/t/six-steps-getting-over-empty-nest/#.UDI9f47mq0s
7 Tips for Parents to Manage Empty Nest Syndrome. Huffingtonpost Parents. Web. 20, August, 2012.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-tsilimparis/empty-nest_b_1710478.html
Reviewed August 20, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith