Empty Nest

[bill-pix-trade]

I am getting ready for a La cross game tonight and realized this is my last season of any sport watching one of my kids play. My last one is graduating HS this spring and it will end 25 years of child rearing for me and my wife. We had a fucking blast with our kids.

In August they will all depart. My middle to grad school and my youngest to undergrad. I already feel empty in some ways.

I will have my wife to myself for the first time in 25 years. WOOOOO HOOOOOOOO

Who else has been through this and what was good and what was not so good?

 

[Debbie]

Mine are grown up but they haven't all left the nest yet. I blame my fruit pies.

I had mine young so I'm only in my 40's.
I'm a little sad they will be gone soon to their own nests but it's going to be fine.

Walking around naked will be good. Less washing. Hubby to myself for the most part.

The time really does go so fast. I am really pleased I spent a lot of quality time with them when I see so many parents who can't be bothered or their lives are so busy that they say they don't have time for sit down meals and just enjoying them while they are young.


Enjoy, bill-pix-trade.

 

[RobDownSouth]

I am getting ready for a La cross game tonight and realized this is my last season of any sport watching one of my kids play. My last one is graduating HS this spring and it will end 25 years of child rearing for me and my wife. We had a fucking blast with our kids.

In August they will all depart. My middle to grad school and my youngest to undergrad. I already feel empty in some ways.

I will have my wife to myself for the first time in 25 years. WOOOOO HOOOOOOOO

Who else has been through this and what was good and what was not so good?

Be careful before you sell your kids' lacrosse equipment at a yard sale. I did, then the kid got offered a spot on the college lacrosse team. Had to buy all new sticks, helmets and pads.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Mine are grown up but they haven't all left the nest yet. I blame my fruit pies.

I had mine young so I'm only in my 40's.
I'm a little sad they will be gone soon to their own nests but it's going to be fine.

Walking around naked will be good. Less washing. Hubby to myself for the most part.

The time really does go so fast. I am really pleased I spent a lot of quality time with them when I see so many parents who can't be bothered or their lives are so busy that they say they don't have time for sit down meals and just enjoying them while they are young.


Enjoy, bill-pix-trade.

THIS times infinity!! We got a ginormous steam washer to get through the teenage years (basketball/lacrosse/soccer especially) and as an empty nester I run maybe 2 loads every two weeks.

 

[chillywilly2]

You miss the kids a little bit but there is a lot to be said for peace and quiet.

Housecleaning is way easier..I get to vacumn now

Dishes are easy..so I see


Laundry doesn't take nearly as long..so she says


Nobody to wait for to get the grass cut...you just do it

 

[Debbie]

No queues outside the loo.

You go to use the milk and there's some left in the container!

 

[thør]

I am getting ready for a La cross game tonight and realized this is my last season of any sport watching one of my kids play. My last one is graduating HS this spring and it will end 25 years of child rearing for me and my wife. We had a fucking blast with our kids.

In August they will all depart. My middle to grad school and my youngest to undergrad. I already feel empty in some ways.

I will have my wife to myself for the first time in 25 years. WOOOOO HOOOOOOOO

Who else has been through this and what was good and what was not so good?

They might come back. Like an unflushable or via your invitation. You'll still be a parent, but you'll find that you have a bit more disposable income.

 

[Skiddles2014]

Mine are 5 and 8.

Got a full nest for a while.

There may be a new addition soon too.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Mine are grown up but they haven't all left the nest yet. I blame my fruit pies.

I had mine young so I'm only in my 40's.
I'm a little sad they will be gone soon to their own nests but it's going to be fine.

Walking around naked will be good. Less washing. Hubby to myself for the most part.

The time really does go so fast. I am really pleased I spent a lot of quality time with them when I see so many parents who can't be bothered or their lives are so busy that they say they don't have time for sit down meals and just enjoying them while they are young.


Enjoy, bill-pix-trade.

Wife is still in her 40s, but not for long. I am only 52. We had kids kind of young for the most part. My oldest is 25.

Naked will be fun I hope.

We had a blast. Dinner were almost every night and we laughed during most of them. That's what I will miss the most.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Be careful before you sell your kids' lacrosse equipment at a yard sale. I did, then the kid got offered a spot on the college lacrosse team. Had to buy all new sticks, helmets and pads.

Shit my wife gets rid of nothing! Hell I still have my oldest kids long pole and helmets.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

You miss the kids a little bit but there is a lot to be said for peace and quiet.

Housecleaning is way easier..I get to vacumn now

Dishes are easy..so I see


Laundry doesn't take nearly as long..so she says


Nobody to wait for to get the grass cut...you just do it

Good point we can buy a BMW 7 class whit what we will save in groceries.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

They might come back. Like an unflushable or via your invitation. You'll still be a parent, but you'll find that you have a bit more disposable income.

SEE^ on disposable income.

I will always be a parent. My oldest son calls to chat almost every day and he lives 800 miles away.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Mine are 5 and 8.

Got a full nest for a while.

There may be a new addition soon too.

Need a sitter, my wife will be available in August.

 

[thør]

SEE^ on disposable income.

Make sure a car seat will fit in the back. Grand-parenting is a real joy.

 

[Saint Peter]

I have two shops full of spoiled little brats.

Why would I want any at home?

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Make sure a car seat will fit in the back. Grand-parenting is a real joy.

I have a super cab f150 they can puke in that.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

I have two shops full of spoiled little brats.

Why would I want any at home?

Home brats and work brats. They serve different functions.

 

[classynsensual]

No queues outside the loo.

You go to use the milk and there's some left in the container!

Our son left home. You wouldn't know, aside from the biggest clue; the fridge is always full now, whereas it was always empty before...

 

[bluegypsy]

They might come back. Like an unflushable or via your invitation. You'll still be a parent, but you'll find that you have a bit more disposable income.

^^^ This. They do come back - especially if they majored in English Lit, Psychology, or Art History.

 

[Loving50]

^^^ This. They do come back - especially if they majored in English Lit, Psychology, or Art History.

Ha! Add music to that list.

My youngest graduates and leaves (hopefully) later this summer. Exciting but sad too. Thankfully all of the kids still like to come home to visit often. I do look forward to actually having cash in my purse and gas in the car for a change.

 

[bluemuse]

No queues outside the loo.

You go to use the milk and there's some left in the container!

Having ample hot water for showers is nice.

 

[bluegypsy]

Ha! Add music to that list.

Or philosophy, sociology, or communications. The list is endless, really.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Ha! Add music to that list.

My youngest graduates and leaves (hopefully) later this summer. Exciting but sad too. Thankfully all of the kids still like to come home to visit often. I do look forward to actually having cash in my purse and gas in the car for a change.

What does that feel like?

 

[thør]

What does that feel like?

Better than the first time you can send them to the store to buy beer.

 

[dirtwrench]

Congrats Bill !!! The Mrs and I moved into "empty nest" territory last year. We are in our mid 40's and life is good. Make that fan-freaking-tastic here. Our boys both come home pretty regular.

It is amazing how, like others mentioned, there is milk in the frig, gas in the truck, beer in the frig, and seems like no dishes or laundry to do. We can snuggle in the couch on my rare evenings home and no one is grossed out. If that turns to tearing clothes off- even better.

There are times I really miss the boys being here. There are jobs around the farm that suck without their help. Mine were really good kids (despite what they got for parents) and always helped out. The other thing I miss is their friends coming around. I never knew if I was going to feed 2, 3, 4, or a couple times 6 boys. Few moments are as much fun as having your kids and their friends all around the table laughing and being boys.