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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:Parenting
Notice:READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:CSC32::DUBOIS
Created:Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1364
Total number of notes:23848

478.0. "Empty Nest" by HAVOC::NOLAN () Thu Nov 01 1990 15:57

    Have any of you experienced or are experiencing the "empty nest
    syndrome" ?
    
    I was alright for a few weeks but now it has started all over 
    again.
    
    My eldest son unfortunately had surgery 2 years ago and is living
    in a hospital, we take him out occasionally but it is alot of
    work.
    
    The youngest son (we only have the 2) just started his freshman
    year at B.C..  I know that is not far from where we live but 
    with my husband and the dog I don't feel I am that "useful" or
    needed anymore. 
    
    Any suggestions, outside of getting another dog ?, because I know
    another husband is out of the question.
    
    Thanks in advance.
    
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478.1TCC::HEFFELVini, vidi, visaThu Nov 01 1990 17:166
	Maybe join a group like Big Brothers/Big sisters or isn't there a 
Foster Grandparents group?

Tracey
(Who with 1 husband, 1 toddler, and 7 indoor cats sometimes LONGS for an empty
nest... :-) )
478.2I have a few ideas..VAXUUM::FONTAINEThu Nov 01 1990 19:0123
    ..and there is always volunteer work.  There are all kinds of programs
    at hospitals, libraries, museums.
    
    What about that workworking or painting or horseback riding lesson you
    might have thought about?
    
    These things are enriching. I don't have alot of extra time, but what
    time I do have I take courses that interest ME.  Pottery for example is
    something I do on Wednesday nights (a kick potter's wheel provides some
    good exericise too!)).  I also hit the studio, when I can, on the
    weekend.
    
    
    I won't be experiencing the "empty nest" syndrome for quite a few years
    but I can imagine the change it can make in a life.  If it's something
    that has you very uncomfortable, try talking to EAP.  That's what they
    are there for.
    
    I wish you all the fun, new, and enriching experiences that can make
    that  "free time" become much more valuable and useful for you.
    
    
     Nancy
478.3MAMTS3::MWANNEMACHERlet us pray to HimThu Nov 01 1990 19:157
    How about being a foster parent, or hosting a foreign student.
    
    
    
    Peace,
    
    Mike
478.4Another takeGEMVAX::WARRENThu Nov 01 1990 19:413
    Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I had the impression that .0 was just
     looking for empathy, not for ways to "refill" the nest.
    Base noter?
478.6TCC::HEFFELVini, vidi, visaFri Nov 02 1990 12:2614
re: .4

	Well she *did* say...

>    Any suggestions, outside of getting another dog ?, because I know
>    another husband is out of the question.
 
	But for what's it's worth, judging by how hectic things are now and 
how pulled apart I feel, I suspect that after the intitial  "AAHHHHHHH!", 
when Katie moves out, I'm sure I won't know what to do with myself for a while.

	To the basenoter, let us know how it's going...

Tracey
478.5not a time I'm looking forward to TLE::RANDALLself-defined personFri Nov 02 1990 12:3210
    It must be really rough for you with your oldest son in the
    hospital and worrying about his health on top of everything else. 
    Back when we were only a one-child family, I went crazy the first
    time Kat went away for a week of sleepover camp.  I kept thinking,
    "I don't hear Kat in her room.  I wonder what kind of mischief
    she's up to?"  And that was even though I knew she was coming
    back.  The silence must really get to you after a while when you
    know it's going to go on and on . . . 
    
    --bonnie
478.7replyHAVOC::NOLANMon Nov 05 1990 17:554
    Maybe a bit of empathy and some suggestions how to refill
    the next.  However, I feel I am a bit young to be a foster
    grandmother, still feel like I should be having kids.
    
478.8just an idea, for what it's worthTLE::RANDALLself-defined personTue Nov 06 1990 11:144
    How about being a foster mother then?  There are lots of kids out
    there who need a temporary loving home . . . 
    
    --bonnie
478.9RDVAX::COLLIERBruce CollierTue Nov 06 1990 19:4213
    How about volunteer work in your local public school system?  I know
    that in mine (Lexington), there are adults with a complete range of
    ages, occupations, statuses (e.g. homemakers, retired, part-time,
    not-yet-parents, current parents, empty-nesters), etc.  Some work a
    couple of hours every other week, some put in significant time.  And
    they do an immense range of things, some really valuabler to the kids:
    work with slow kids; work with advanced kids; supervise computer labs;
    teach creative writing; do science projects; be a general classroom
    aide; read stories to kindergarteners; etc., etc., etc.  They all seem
    to enjoy it, too (of course, that's self-selection, to some degree).
    
    		- Bruce
    
478.10NEW FOSTER PARENT HERE...ABACUS::DISMUKETue Nov 13 1990 14:3714
    My husband and I have two birth children (ages 5 and 3) and were just
    granted a permit for foster parenting.  We now have a 13 month old
    foster child.  If you are interested in the foster parenting angle, 
    give me a call.  I'd be happy to share some information with you.  
    
    One thing I'd like to add up front...as a foster parent you would be 
    the one to decide the age and sex of the child you take - if an infant 
    wouldn't work for you, you could opt for a school age kid.  There are 
    LOTS of kids who need mothering (and fathering) from experienced caring 
    people.
    
    -sandy
    (dtn 264-4919)