Last week’s top ten list highlighted the positives of living in an empty nest. In the interest of full disclosure, this top ten shares what I miss now that the kids are grown and gone.
10. Getting the kids out of the house was always a good excuse for going to the pool.
9. Watching them play and wondering what they’ll be like as adults.
8. Getting goofy and giggling together.
7. Seeing them learn from simple things like water, wind, and dirt.
6. Belly laughs.
5. Dressing up in costumes and playing make-believe.
4. Reading aloud and getting lost in books together.
3. Snuggles.
2. Walking down the street, holding hands.
1. Looking at the world through a child’s eyes…again.
What do you other empty nesters miss about having little kids at home? Those of you who are raising youngsters, what will you miss when they’re grown? Leave a comment.
All of the above. In short, it was an excuse to be young & innocent again. And a good excuse to re-read the children’s books you loved as a child. If you’re smart, you introduced them to your kids as well as learning the more recent books. the latter could sometimes backfire. I bought the Captain Underpants series for our younger son, then in 4th grade only to have him turn up his nose. But I’d give all I have to have them young again, living @ home, & regarding my husband & me as the most important people in their world. My two sons are now adults & launched (older is married, younger in college). I’m proud that they aren’t “Failure to Launch” cases. I say that over & over w/tears in my eyes. Older & wife are planning on kids but until then, empty nest is NOT enjoyable. Full disclosure: each was born after a long struggle w/infertility & pregnancy loss. My husband & I were married for 12 years before the birth of #1.. We’d had, & long before tired of, the supposed joys of a “child-free” lifestyle we never wanted. In fact, we found the very term offensive. We did NOT regard children as an allergin or other undesireable presence. Parenthood, while not trouble-free, was everything we expected & better. And I miss it. HOW I miss it!
Congratulations on launching your sons so successfully. As for you, reading with our kids was one of the most pleasurable things about raising them. Are your boys avid readers now? My son and daughter are.
Jolene