I am an empty nester.... uncle

[Garion_55]

My brother lives down the street from Me. For the last 10 years I would go over there 2 3 4 times a month we would have dinners we would watch football games his kids were in the band so there were band events we would go to. No matter when you went there there was always something going on .

Then my nephew graduated high school went off to college now he has a job in an apartment.. Then my niece Graduated high school then went to college now she is out in Hawaii with her partner. Then my niece graduated high school now she's out in Colorado helping out other family members before she decides what she wants to do.

When I go over to the house now it's quiet it's empty it's lifeless only brother there doing home improvement stuff.

It makes me sad and makes me miss life there 10 years ago.

Life goes on I guess but it's still depressing.. Anyone else find themselves in this situation?

[Stuckinthebush]

1. Empty nester here

Yes, I understand it completely. I am trying to remember what life was like before children and find some peace in the knowledge that they are all moving toward their own autonomous adulthoods. But, it's sad at times. I miss the hustle and bustle. Sometimes I feel a tad lost.

[Croney]

2. As a grandma, I can relate.

I have many grandkids and great-grandkids but only one daughter lives in the same state, and I babysat her three kids from birth to teenage.

I thought I would always be in their daily lives, but of course a teenager with a car doesn't need her grandmother all that much! I do see them often, but they're forming their own lives and I have to reinvent my own. Just wondering why I still have so many stuffed animals and other mementos that I can't get rid of...

You could join groups. I do Zumba, and we garden a lot. Maybe your brother would like a helping hand with the home improvement? Being lonely at times is ok. I think we all are, especially now with enforced isolation.

[brooklynite]

3. Nope...but I don't rely on family.

I serve on several neighborhood associations and committees, I get together weekly with friends for dinner (currently on ZOOM) and monthly for wine parties.

Perhaps the fact that I never had kids means I never became dependent on family structure for my social life.

[boston bean]

4. What about your wife? Is she a family member you rely upon?

Maybe if you thought about her not in your life you could empathize.

[Phoenix61]

5. Change can be difficult and it's ok to be feel sad.

I’ve spent most of my life single and don’t have any children. There’s a lively music scene here, outdoor venues, so there’s always something to do. I’m on two boards and am looking forward to getting more active with them. I hit a slump a while back but discovered my local college offers water aerobics so started doing that and working out at the college gym. Covid has been a big adjustment and I was in a funk for awhile but seem to be pulling out of it.

[Wingus Dingus]

6. I'm an empty nester, mom of two adult sons who

moved on and are now in their mid/late 20's. I'm at a crossroads in life--in my 50's, living far from my sons, my granddaughter, my elderly parents, and from where I grew up. Pretty much unofficially retired, but my husband still works (it was his career that deposited us here). I've lived all over the country and don't quite feel at home where I live now, no friends or connections here, so we are moving at some point soon. Hoping to get a sense of home somewhere else. Kids growing up and leaving does take some of the joy and purpose out of life.