Empty nest sydrome for the DW

[Frizzledhen]

All of the responses have been very good. It is important to do things together. But, she may also need something just for her. She could volunteer at the hospita in the childrens ward. She could volunteer at the library helping the kids find books and listen while they read. She could become a big sister or a seragate grandma. She could volunteer at the school as a playground supervisor or as a teacher's helper. Or if she is not into kids, she could volunteer at a retirement home, or meals on wheels. All of the above would make her feel useful and needed again.
Gayle

 

[nmantime]

I knew this was the right place to ask for help... I appreciate the suggestions all. I will try and try again to share my hobbies/interest with her... I do enjoy her company, and she is my best hanging out buddy... it just seems she's so unsure of herself without the kids... She is signed up for a couple of classes at the community college. After reading your replies I thought about what is something we talked about doing and have never done and it's "Ballroom Dancing." Now i'll try this out on her when I get in from work this evening, they offer beginner classes at the Recreation Center.. And you guys know what we don't bowl anymore... it's been 15 years since we league bowled... I will see if she might want to bowl again... Hmmmm, i guess i just needed a mind bump from you guys to get me going (hopefully) in the right direction...
Please if you have other's suggestions reply please, I need the help.

letterboxing, never heard of it but after going to the sight i'll check this out with dw and see what she thinks... that could really fit into our lives...

thanks again all

Norm in N.CA

 

[Judymae]

When my MIL was alive she used to tell me all the time that I was gonna have a really hard time when the kids left. They are 13,10,and 7 right now. She said I devoted too much time for them and not enough for me. I wonder if your wife is going through what my MIL kept telling me? I hope she feels better about all the new changes soon. Ya'll raised great kids that are able to go off on their own! That means alot!

 

[new2chicks GBG PA]

Maybe she just doesn't feel like she is needed because there is no one left for her to take care of. Maybe joining Big Brothers/Big Sisters would give her that feeling of taking a child uder her wings. Another idea is being a foster home to puppies or kittens that have been rescued but are too young to adopt yet. Most shelters have a foster program.

Fall is also a good time to make homemade X-Mas gifts. My Mom made little Jelly baskets one year. It was the tastiest gift I ever got.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[Fancy Feather Poultry]

Idk, I am only 13 ..... ummm I got into this site and played it like every day. She may not like it at first but when you figure everything thing out you'll want to play it cause you want to be better then everyone, its all redesigned now it can get very interesting when you get into it



Here's the link's for the site and a guide:


The site: www.runescape.com

The guide: www.runehq.com

 

[Napalongtail]

Norm Darling, Invite her to go shopping for the girls..DUH. Then while out and about detour north to the Vintage Cafe. Easy access from hwy 80. Head north to the abernathy exit. exit then at the stop turn left. Follow that road till it ends. On your left will be a lovely lunch spot. I recommend lunch cause they try out their dinner specials at much lower prices then and the food is/was FABULOUS!
Good luck tell the DW and the DD I said HI. TTYL J

 

[nmantime]

Thanks again all... I stayed home with the wife today and we spent some time outside, lounging and just talking about things... when I wandered over to one of my mixed vege/flower gardens and started digging up some potatoes for lunch and she actually kneeled down to help.

To say i was surprised is an understatement... Then I moved over to the broccoli box and she started asking question about why I chose certain heads to pick and stuff and like how did i determine what type of broccoli to grow?.. Now i'm looking at her close ( you know clone, aliean swap or something). She goes over to start washing off the vege's and while i'm grabbing some tomatoes (OK, OK break here.. I have grown some awesome, tasty tomatoes this year. Like Candy Sun Sweets and Cuostralee and fast becoming a favorite Vintage Wine.. OK back to the message) DW tells me how much she appreciates the effort i put into the gardening and landscape and stuff. Then she turns to me and gives me a big ole kiss and says that the effort i'm making to help her really lets her know how much she means to me and gives me another one... Well to keep this young'n friendly lets just say lunch was moved to the back burner.

.
My chicken friends I say thank you again your advice it help me get to thinking in the right direction and it's let the dw know i'm trying.
J.J. I sent Jessica an email letting her know you said Hi and she 'texted a HI back to you', I still have to listen to how lucky your boys are (atv, horses, fishing creek and everything). I will let you know about the food at the Vintage Cafe if it's still Fabulous...

Norm in N.CA

 

[Napalongtail]

Hey Norm, There's a hotel just a couple exits up. You know in case the ambiance at the cafe does indeed strike a pose. You know. Let jessice know when she's ready to travel we'd love to entertain her and even a friend( should she so choose). We spent the last 2 days busting out the last lil bit of the ranches front entrance. I'll try and send you pics as I need to for the insurance company anyways. We love it up here. Of course we work entirely too much. TTYS send my love and hellos to the fam. J.J.

 

[momoftwinsinwi]

My kids aren't even gone but are 17 and the empty nest syndrome has hit me already the day they could drive away in their own vehicles (early this year) and didn't need me to be with them.....now they don't need me....to take them to their friend's house, or into town, or to the store or to school....that was a hard one to swallow, they are totally independent now except for their curfew, they are hardly ever home. Between work, buddies, girlfriends and golf I barely see them. So......I decided I'm going to learn to golf!! We still do the water park thing in the summer and we still do the haunted hayride, houses and of course frightfest but I wanted to do something "with them" at any time, just on a whim, without major planning....so although I suck at golf, only been once, I had fun and will keep practicing

and I get to spend some time with my boys....although they giggle their asses off at me when I swing and totally miss the ball LOL....I'll get better and one day I'll whoop em!!