How to Prepare for an Empty Nest

It is true that some women have a hard time dealing with an empty nest--especially those who are stay-at-home moms or those who are very close to their children. Try the following steps before your children leave in order to better prepare for that empty nest.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Hobby
• Friends

1. If you don’t have a job, consider one. Or, maybe some volunteer work would be better for you. A job or volunteering time will give you something to do and you will meet new people.
2. If you don’t have a hobby, think about getting one. Take those painting lessons you always put off due to raising kids or learn to play piano. Maybe bowling is something you enjoyed in your younger days. Chances are you’ll still enjoy it so go do it.
3. Consider taking classes. Any kind of classes that are appealing to you will be a great help in getting you out of the house, help you in meeting people and developing new interests.
4. Get out of the house with friends. Friends get us through many things in life and they’ll help you through this too.
5. Think about traveling. Now that the kids are older you can take short trips and eventually long ones.
6. Pick the first destination for a long vacation, that place you've always wanted to go, and start saving for it. This will give you something to look forward to.
7. Start spending more time with your partner. When the children leave it is once again your turn to enjoy one another.
8. Let your children move on while you do the same. You’ll do them no favors if you hold them back because you don’t know what to do without them. And you’ll do yourself no favors either.

Tips & Warnings

• If you start taking these steps before the kids leave home, you will find yourself enjoying your quiet time more and more often.
• These steps will not eliminate the emotions of empty nest; but they help you get through it.