Happy Empty Nesters
Empty Nest Syndrome is a term commonly associated with Empty Nesters. If the facts were that every empty nester suffers ENS, the thought that empty nesters are sad and unhappy would be understandable. But, this is the exception rather than the rule. Most empty nest parents are happy empty nesters and adjusting to the change in their household well.
Becoming an empty nester didn’t happen as a surprise. As parents to teens we know that after high school comes college, jobs, marriage or whatever the occasion was that resulted in the empty nest. Then we hear about the nesters who are waiting for their kids to move out. This is so that they can have their lives back. But this is also not the norm. It is a balance.
Our Children moving on is expected.
While we are raising our children we are shooting for the goal of happy, healthy adults. We want them to have and experience all the wonderful things of life. And if we have been good examples of adults that they can learn from, we are well on our way to succeeding in that goal.
Becoming Happy Empty Nesters should be our goal.
Now is the time to focus on you. A second honeymoon might be in order for some. But, continuing your education might do the trick for others. Happiness comes in many different forms and self happiness is one of the most important. While we are head down plowing through this parenting thing, we let some of what makes us happy be put on the back burner. It is time to dust our toys off and play again.
Happy empty nesters still know how to have fun.
Maintaining a positive inner dialogue, also known as positive self-talk is the one thing which is going to motivate everything else you do. It’s when you’re positive that you put in the effort to be a happy empty nester. When you encourage yourself, your big goals (not to mention all the small ones) become possible. Think of positive self-talk as the gas, which makes the car move. These next two tips will help your inner happiness.
Laugh:
It’s impossible to stay negative when laughing. Looking for the humor in situations helps you to stay positive.
Hang with the Right Crowd:
It’s easy to have your mood affected by those around you. By sticking around positive people, you’ll find upbeat energy tends to rub off.
Here some more hints to help you kickstart that fun: 
-
Start walking together on a regular basis.
-
Set a “date night” with your honey.
-
Look at new hobbies to do together/alone.
-
Join a couples bowling team.
-
Go back to school.
-
Take a hobby course together.
-
Learn how to line dance.
Happy empty nesters take charge of their own schedule and play on purpose. Focus on what makes you and your husband happy. And relish the fact that you have done a great thing in raising healthy happy young adults.
Study proves that Empty Nest Parents are happier.
German researchers looked at data from a European survey that asked 55,000 people aged 50 and older about their emotional well-being. Led by Christoph Becker at Heidelberg University in Germany, researchers found that parents were happier, but only after their children had moved out. These empty-nesters experienced less symptoms of depression and greater joy in life.
This sounds somewhat confusing. But it means that between couples who have never had children and empty nest parents, the empty nesters are happier. This is not because their children have finally moved out, but because they succeeded in raising great young adults.
What is our goal as empty nest parents, after all?
Isn’t it to raise independent children into adulthood, equipping them with all the tools to grow and make good decisions? Our role as parents of adults is to be a good example of what is right, to be available with advice, not criticism, and to know when it is best to hold our peace. Healthy, happy young adults are our success.
Another factor is that empty nesters now have free time.
Free time can be used in many ways. The most noble use is to volunteer to do some sort of service. Think of ways that you can benefit your community. Do they need readers in the library? Does the greenbelt need trimmed and weeded? Is there trash to be picked up in your corner of the world? Volunteering to help out your community is a win/win.
Another use of your new free time is to start a club that would benefit your neighborhood. Is there a book club in your neighborhood? Is there a crafting and or sewing club that meets in your neighborhood? Maybe an exercise or yoga class would be nice. You don’t have to teach the classes, just organize them and find the expert in that field. Empty nesters are great organizers and leaders if they try.
Happy Empty Nesters do not get happy by accident.
By being a good example of healthy, happy adults, their children have grown to be awesome young adults. They have had dreams and goals past the graduation of their kids from High School. They know to have fun and have plans to make that happen.
Please enjoy this Happy Empty Nester Planning Printable Set absolutely Free.
Recent Comments