#7 – 10 Things We Can Do For our Adult Children
Now that we are into this new phase of life, it has occurred to me that there are things that we can be doing now to help insure that our children fully enjoy their own empty nest someday:
- Stay on top of our health – the better shape that we are in, the easier life will be for them.
- Keep the lines of communication open – parenting doesn’t stop; it simply changes.
- Encourage them to strengthen their own relationships; with each other and with friends/family.
- Discuss our own wishes for the future, while they are still “in the future.” That way, when things come up they are better prepared to deal with them.
- Pray for them daily; we know all too well the kind of pressure that they are under.
- Get rid of our clutter; it’s hard enough to deal with your own, much less someone else’s.
- Continue to take photographs and videos, and try to keep them organized. It’s the easiest way to record and share family history with them.
- Write things down; important dates, names and other things that you want them to always remember.
- Try to pay off as much debt as possible so that they aren’t left having to deal with our finances someday.
- Be positive role models in an often negative world.
My husband is the one who is having a terrible time dealing with the empty nest thing. Our youngest (son) graduates from high school this year. Our daughter graduated two years ago and is likely headed overseas this Fall.
I am about to go nuts with my husbands inability to move forward and look for the positive. This stuff has been going on since long before the first one left.
Most of the coping strategies that I come across are geared toward grieving Moms. Where is the help for Dads?
Thank you so much for your comment, Jill. My husband is actually working on some “guest posts” for me. We will try to hear from the man’s perspective as well. This time of life definitely seems to affect us all differently. For the most part, I would feel that coping strategies are similar for all of us — communication with our kids, keeeping up/making new friendships, allowing ourselves to “glance” back but not “stare.” You make a great point — we will work on that! I also have asked a single parent to write some posts as well.Thanks again for your comment.