My nest might be getting empty, but my heart couldn't be more full!

Hey college students, what do you think your empty-nester parents are doing while you're away at school? Ever wonder how they feel with you away from home? Well, I never really thought college students would even have the time to consider that until I my own daughter shared with me that she would be interested in reading my blog—On the Edge of an Empty Nest.

Certainly, all relationships are different, and not every daughter is like mine, but it made me wonder, if my daughter is thinking about it, maybe others are too.

Going off to college or leaving home for the first time is exciting and scary for both parents and kids (young adults). As a single mom, it is certainly bitter sweet. For years it just been me and my girls. A close family of three who have been through a lot of emotional challenges and growth together. So as the time approaches that both my daughters will be off to school, I admit, I was thinking of my own feelings and not even realizing that my daughter was wondering how I was feeling about it too.

So, what do I want to share with my daughters about how I'm feeling as I face an empty nest? That I don't regret a single minute of being a mom! That for all the struggles and hard decisions I've made, I wouldn't take back any of it if it means not having you! I have learned to live my life with no regrets. Every day is a new opportunity. The challenges of yesterday only make me stronger and more grateful for today. The joy and satisfaction of seeing my daughters grow into amazing young women is like nothing I could ever have imagined. This is an exciting time to be your mom. To see you putting into practice all the life lessons I tried to teach you along the way. Certainly not always perfect—being a mom isn't easy, and you didn't come with instructions, but you are doing great and I couldn't be more proud. You know how to take care of yourselves, face adversity, and make healthy choices.

What more could a mother ask for? Well, we will see as we move down our independent paths. Today, I hope for you all the things I hope for myself—a satisfying and fulfilling life, abundant with love, peace, health and happiness—all the things we already have!

Life is all the little things (the good stuff) that happen while you are working on your bucket list!

My nest might be getting empty, but my heart couldn't be more full!

XOXO

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Did you know...?

Empty nest syndrome is a feeling of grief and loneliness parents or guardians may feel when their children leave home for the first time, such as to live on their own or to attend a college or university. It is not a clinical condition.

Is your parent is suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome?

3 Tips to help them cope:

1. Encourage them to pursue their own hobbies and interests.
2. Suggest they talk with their friends, family or therapist about their grief.
3. Ask them to try journaling about their feelings—or Blogging about them!

Parents going through empty nest syndrome can ease their stress by pursuing their own hobbies and interests in their increased spare time. Discussing their grief with each other, friends, families, or professionals may help them. Experts have advised that overwhelmed parents keep a journal, or go back to work if they were full-time parents. Wikipedia

Additional Resources

Worried about empty nest syndrome? Find out how an empty nest can affect parents, what you can do to prepare for the transition and how to cope. - Mayo Clinic

6 Ways to Transitions from Single Parent to Empty Nest: By Divorced Moms / Tools for Healthy Living - Maria Shiver

How to Overcome Empty Nest Syndrome, Filling the psychological void when your last child leaves home - Psychology Today