I guess it’s true that, for as much as a kid drives a parent up the wall over the years, the parent feels kind of empty and lonely when the kid moves out to start his or her own life (as a kid must, true, but the feeling’s always there).
Now is not the time for “feathering the nest”. Now is the time for downsizing. OR stay put and focus on yourself: Take those trips you couldn’t do with kids, immerse yourself in a new or held-off passion (sport, art, etc). This is YOUR time and it can be the best time of your life.
I remember my parents driving me crazy for years, constantly wanting to bunch up all 4 kids in the van and drive around to check out new houses. It struck me as the most asinine thing ever, but I guess they were house-hunting, looking for a bigger place… then I moved out, then my brother did (then moved back in), then my sisters did… and mom & dad were like “Well, why bother moving to a bigger house? There’s nobody IN it now!”
All three of our kids had to return home for a spell as a result of bumps in their roads. Our oldest has been with us for about ten years now and will probably be fore the rest of his life. He has become progressively more disabled (the result of prednisone dependence in childhood) and would find it very hard to make it on his own, even aside from money issues. It is pretty certain I will survive him and my wife. It is not a bad life, all told.
I recently came across a quote (author unknown) that helped me put life into perspective: “Think of all the things you DON’T have that you DON’T want.”
I left home at 17 and never looked back. My two boys, on the other hand, had to be damn near catapulted into the next county before they got the hint in their mid 20’s.
That’s the best time to feather! Toss the old, bring in the new. Make the space you always wanted when they were all home and you said “what is the point of getting nice stuff when the kids will just leave a trail of stains?”
She does have point…but that’s why while the kids aree growing up you prepare for what I call the “afterlife”. In 2004-05 I attended media broadcasting school. Now that I’m retired I can focus on that.
I bought my youngest, bachelor son a small house down the street when he was 27, just so he had a place of his own. First thing he did was move in his girlfriend. Now at 50 he’s still there, and still a bachelor, despite several other live in girlfriends along the way. A house of his own may seem extreme, but it was worth every penny.
There are a number of troubling things about Connie’s statements. First of all, her son is 17 years old and not out of high school. She still has responsibility for him. Why does she say that he is never home. Where is he going that would cause him not to be at home and why does this not bother Connie? (We are going to find out the answer to this question and it does not make Connie’s lack of interest look any better.)
Second is the news that Gayle has gone to stay with her mother. Long time readers will remember that Gayle’s mother was such a deadbeat mom that the court gave custody of her daughters to her father. When the question came up of his relocating his daughters from Thunder Bay to Milborough to appease Connie’s desire to move there, the courts could not find Gayle’s mother because no one had seen her for over two years (at that time). Why in the world would Gayle even be allowed to stay with her? Remember at this time, Gayle would be a senior in high school and still a minor.
Different attitude from the World War 2 generation. As soon as their kids left home for college or their first apartment, the parents often transformed the kid’s bedroom into a drawing room or den.
Since there’s also no point in feathering the nest when the kids are there because they’re going to trash it, forget the nest! Go on that trip you’ve always wanted!
That’s Elly for you. The kids aren’t even within a mile of her and she’s STILL popping off comments that would make them feel unwanted. Let’s face it, Elly is so obsessed with her image and what other people think, that if she had her way, she’d have skipped the kids and just given birth to FURNITURE!
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
tough, isn’t it?
Baarorso over 2 years ago
I guess it’s true that, for as much as a kid drives a parent up the wall over the years, the parent feels kind of empty and lonely when the kid moves out to start his or her own life (as a kid must, true, but the feeling’s always there).
Macushlalondra over 2 years ago
The nest is not empty! You’re still there! You’d enjoy all those things Elly mentioned.
dlkrueger33 over 2 years ago
Now is not the time for “feathering the nest”. Now is the time for downsizing. OR stay put and focus on yourself: Take those trips you couldn’t do with kids, immerse yourself in a new or held-off passion (sport, art, etc). This is YOUR time and it can be the best time of your life.
Susan00100 over 2 years ago
This is the same woman who used to dump her son at the Pattersons so that she could chase after Phil.
The same woman whose stepdaughters hated her.
Now, she’s a self-pitying drama queen!!
Just wait until Lawrence outs himself as gay!!
Jabroniville Premium Member over 2 years ago
I remember my parents driving me crazy for years, constantly wanting to bunch up all 4 kids in the van and drive around to check out new houses. It struck me as the most asinine thing ever, but I guess they were house-hunting, looking for a bigger place… then I moved out, then my brother did (then moved back in), then my sisters did… and mom & dad were like “Well, why bother moving to a bigger house? There’s nobody IN it now!”
Johnnyrico over 2 years ago
Maybe Elly’s three kids can live at Connie’s house for a while…
flagmichael over 2 years ago
All three of our kids had to return home for a spell as a result of bumps in their roads. Our oldest has been with us for about ten years now and will probably be fore the rest of his life. He has become progressively more disabled (the result of prednisone dependence in childhood) and would find it very hard to make it on his own, even aside from money issues. It is pretty certain I will survive him and my wife. It is not a bad life, all told.
'IndyMan' over 2 years ago
Yeah, BUT……..doesn’t matter how big or old or how far away they get…….they are still ‘YOUR KIDS’
Thechildinme over 2 years ago
I recently came across a quote (author unknown) that helped me put life into perspective: “Think of all the things you DON’T have that you DON’T want.”
e.groves over 2 years ago
The first thing you should is change all of the locks.
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member over 2 years ago
It’s not empty. You’re there.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 2 years ago
I sense the “you need a pet” talk coming.
Smitman56 over 2 years ago
I left home at 17 and never looked back. My two boys, on the other hand, had to be damn near catapulted into the next county before they got the hint in their mid 20’s.
Jaymi Cee Premium Member over 2 years ago
That’s the best time to feather! Toss the old, bring in the new. Make the space you always wanted when they were all home and you said “what is the point of getting nice stuff when the kids will just leave a trail of stains?”
Bob Blumenfeld over 2 years ago
I sense that Lynn was going through some of that empty-nesting when she drew this.
djtenltd over 2 years ago
She does have point…but that’s why while the kids aree growing up you prepare for what I call the “afterlife”. In 2004-05 I attended media broadcasting school. Now that I’m retired I can focus on that.
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom over 2 years ago
I don’t feel like an empty nester. My daughter and her kids now live on our place, and the son in our house.
this is summerdog over 2 years ago
I bought my youngest, bachelor son a small house down the street when he was 27, just so he had a place of his own. First thing he did was move in his girlfriend. Now at 50 he’s still there, and still a bachelor, despite several other live in girlfriends along the way. A house of his own may seem extreme, but it was worth every penny.
howtheduck over 2 years ago
There are a number of troubling things about Connie’s statements. First of all, her son is 17 years old and not out of high school. She still has responsibility for him. Why does she say that he is never home. Where is he going that would cause him not to be at home and why does this not bother Connie? (We are going to find out the answer to this question and it does not make Connie’s lack of interest look any better.)
Second is the news that Gayle has gone to stay with her mother. Long time readers will remember that Gayle’s mother was such a deadbeat mom that the court gave custody of her daughters to her father. When the question came up of his relocating his daughters from Thunder Bay to Milborough to appease Connie’s desire to move there, the courts could not find Gayle’s mother because no one had seen her for over two years (at that time). Why in the world would Gayle even be allowed to stay with her? Remember at this time, Gayle would be a senior in high school and still a minor.
John Jorgensen over 2 years ago
I thought Lawrence was Michael’s age. Wouldn’t that make him a little young to be “never home”?
kab2rb over 2 years ago
Since they are empty nesters, maybe they need a change and look for a smaller house.
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
Gayle and Molly must not have clicked with the readers,They were out of the strip almost as soon as they were introduced.
mindjob over 2 years ago
the point is to flip the house, take the money and run off with the pool boy.
USN1977 over 2 years ago
Different attitude from the World War 2 generation. As soon as their kids left home for college or their first apartment, the parents often transformed the kid’s bedroom into a drawing room or den.
mckeonfuneralhomebx over 2 years ago
sell the house and move into a Seniors condo. That will stop the kids from moving back!!!
circleM over 2 years ago
♫Late at night a big old house gets lonely.I guess every form of refuge has its price♫
sousamannd over 2 years ago
Not me… I was glad to seem them able to fly and I enjoy all their flying now.
coffeeturtle over 2 years ago
Good time to move out of state and don’t leave your new address.
wait.. what??
maverick.kaminski over 2 years ago
Since there’s also no point in feathering the nest when the kids are there because they’re going to trash it, forget the nest! Go on that trip you’ve always wanted!
Guilty Bystander over 2 years ago
Because it’s YOUR nest now?
HodgeElmwood over 2 years ago
Ellie, that’s not focusing on Connie…it’s focusing on the house!
edeloriea14 over 2 years ago
Maybe Connie could use a pet.
CoreyTaylor1 over 2 years ago
That’s Elly for you. The kids aren’t even within a mile of her and she’s STILL popping off comments that would make them feel unwanted. Let’s face it, Elly is so obsessed with her image and what other people think, that if she had her way, she’d have skipped the kids and just given birth to FURNITURE!
hagarthehorrible over 2 years ago
She has a point there, Elly.
Black76Manta over 2 years ago
Ouch! hard, but true!