Empty Nest Syndrone

[Polkersince85]

Well this week has been hard on the old man, so to speak, Friday I took my son to the airport in Atlanta for him to fly to Seattle for his new job. He''ll be a software development engineer for the large online retailer. Nice job but it'll be hard to see him now.

Then this morning my daughter and her boyfriend invited me out to breakfast. He asked me for her hand in marriage. Of course I told him he had my blessing. She'll graduate college this spring.

All of this is actually good news but still makes for some mixed feelings. Getting old I guess.

[recoveryone]

I can't wait :)

[halo71]

Ken, congrats on having successful kids! I must admit, I do dread the day my 13 year old girl starts even dating much less getting married and moving away. You should come on up here to the lake next weekend. The stripes are running.

[chumlie]

Congrats to your Son & Daughter. You did your job. Takes a while, enjoy some alone time. Pretty soon come the Grandkids and their way more fun.

[CCNJ]

Congrats for getting them to the point where they can fly on their own. Sounds like you did a great job raising them. Very respectful that your future son-in-law asked for your blessing. I have my two in college right now so i know how you feel.

[Mike Reeter]

I feel for you, our youngest is graduating High School this spring, and headed to College next fall, and I'm already missing him. Life will not be the same around here without kids and teenagers running around.

Be thankful your son is heading out to make his own way in the world, and the fact that your future son-in-law is a gentleman (don't hear of many young men asking for the daughters hand anymore) and that he will be a part of your family.

[polkfarmboy]

2 kids not on drugs and causing trouble plus good jobs that are contributing to society in a productive manner = a job well done. What mixed feelings do you have? You can always take in some really wacky foreign exchange students to keep you company

[mhardy6647]

It's nice when the guy asks the father of the bride-to-be!
In terms of the empty nest/gettin' old thing... You're not alone :-)
Sounds to me, as others have said, that you stand there on the flight deck and say "Mission Accomplished" in good faith ;-)

(now the FWIW part; sorry!)
Both of our youngsters are "off the payroll" - I feel like we did our bit in their development, and we're all still on good terms! We see our daughter & son-in-law roughly weekly; our son, in grad school in VA, we see much less often - but thanks to technology we still keep in touch pretty seamlessly -- plus, Susan "stalks" on Facebook (as they say)... it's not really as arch as real stalking, but it still helps her feel like she knows what he's up to between other modes of communication.

Other good points hinted at above... you can consider taking in foster children. We know several folks who do that. Susan & I aren't up for that, but I've gotta say - the prospect of grandparenthood looks better and better.

[Oldfatdogs]

It seems everyone has a different view on this.I did a little jig as the last boxes were taken out the door.Don't get me wrong I love my sons, but for me it was I have done all I can for you lets see you fly on your own.They are both doing just fine so somewhere alone the line the wife and I taught them well.As a parent that's all you can hope for.
I have to admit on occasion I have missed them being here.
Dan

[Lasareath]

With both of them out of the house you'll be able to go on vacation much easier and go to audio gatherings!

[Tornado Red]

They say the number one job of every parent is to make their child independent (and of course this adage crosses species, like my first wife's family). Sounds like you've done a terrific job. So congrats and...go crank up your rig!

[mantis]

I'm looking forward to the day both my kids move out and start their lives. I'm also not in any hurry for them to do so. I enjoy my family but I do however really enjoy alone time. I love when both kids are out and my wife is out shopping . I get the entire house to myself for a few hours. I usually crank the system a bit more then when someone is home. When they are home , I'm always asked to turn it down which I hate.

My kids are 14 and 17 so they are getting close to college.

[Lasareath]

Down the block from me there is a family where the kids never left. The kids must be in their mid-30's, they all have really nice cars and live with Mom and Dad. What free-loaders!!!

[wayne3burk]

Congratulations on a job well done - raising the kids and they're respective success and prospects. Our 29 yr old daughter (with the help of our son-in-law) blessed us with our first grandchild in August. He turned 6 months old a couple of weeks ago.

I have to say that somehow having an infant grandchild is much more enjoyable than having infants yourself.... maybe I'm just much more relaxed and less stressed now than i was then.

Bottom line is the empty nest thing is manageable, and enjoyable in many ways.

Enjoy