Empty nest syndrome

[kayakebab]

My daughter left home for Uni 4 years ago, got a job and has stayed in Portsmouth.

My youngest will be off to Uni in a few weeks and I'm really struggling with it.

Ok, so those of you who have been through it,and your children have left the nest, please share your experiences and give me some survival techniques

[Julesp]

Anything like mine and its soon gone and they are back never to be got rid of again!!
Maybe now is the time to do something for yourself, learn a new skill, hobby etc, meet new people, the worlds your lobster!

[Toky]

F-R-E-E-D-O-M !!!! It was soooooooooo liberating when mine moved out. No one to consider, except me & Mr Toky!!! It's lovely having them back for a visit, or meeting up for a girlie day out, but this is the life, walking around the house in the scuddy if I want to, leaving the peanut butter residue on my nose without getting told off, no one going through my wardrobe pinching my bags and accessories with out asking............ye cannae beat it!

[tonysue]

the hardest part is forgetting to buy milk, bread, baked bean, and food in general. you dont need most of it anymore. all the socks have a partner, the toothpaste a top and you can watch what you like on the telly.

[Gorgeous_bird]

I am enjoying the new found freedom, but Nick did buy me a hamster a couple of months a go, something for me look after, trouble is it's just like having a teenager, in order to see it you have to stay up until 2am. I find the cooking fro 2 the hardest thing. I seem t have a lot of leftovers every night

[stoop]

Ours went away and one is back

Empty nest? I wish ;-)

The other one is just a little too far away though - Thailand is a long way to go for a weekend!

Why can't they just move out and live a few miles away? That way you can get to see them but they aren't too close  

I suppose in the end they all settle down and make their own way in life (fingers crossed).

[Firo]

Enjoy it and treat it as a chance to start a new chapter in your life. Do all the things you want to do, learn new skills or crafts but most of all sit back and enjoy watching the children start lives of their own and smile as they learn from their mistakes just like we did.
It's going to be your time once more so enjoy it to the full.

[heather07]

Our son went off to be a chef at 17 and has travelled around a bit.  So many hankies at airports!!!!
he returned to Scotland five years ago and got married last year.
I was told I would gain a daughter...they went back to Jersey to live at the weekend so I lose them both
Jersey back on holiday destination list

[Jacqui Harvey]

We love the fact the kids have left, but we really enjoy them visiting now.  I agree with Toky, you get to run around in your undies, leave doors unlocked,and have your lives to yourselves, you don't have to stock up on lots of coke and crisps.   I too now have total control of my clothes, bags etc., and my husband has a lot more sock and aftershave than he had before.
However, word of warning, my daughter got her own flat after she finished Uni and was about 25 miles from us.  So after a couple of weeks she came up and spent the night.  The next morning she told me she loved the new pillows on her old bed.  I said to her that I got them locally and would get her one for her flat, don't worry, she said, I have one of yours in my bag already!!!
I also think you should note that kids will return to your home and open the fridge and take out food just as if they still live with you.

[pookie]

lol Jacqui.......I left home 25 years ago, and still go home to raid my mother's cupboards and fridge, so i guess i can't expect a lot different from my daughter in the future !!!