What does it mean to be an empty nester? What 'qualifies' you for that designation? Does it happen naturally when all children have officially left the house for college and/or the working world? What if these children still come home during summers and/or over winter breaks? Does that 'count' in this case?
I recently got into this discussion with my boss, as he felt the moniker did not apply to people like me whose kids were still in college. After all, we still see them for three weeks over the winter holidays, and they're still coming home during the summer. Sure, we know both of those things are temporary, but they still apply today. So which is it?
Ever since our youngest went off to start his freshman year of college two months ago, we've considered ourselves to be empty nesters. For the first time, the kids will spend more time away from home than at home. Is it an adjustment? Sure, but it's also incredible exciting. What will this next stage of life look like? What will we look like? I can't pretend I have the answers, but I, for one, am curious to find out...
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