It sometimes may seem like life is full of fun and games in the Empty Nest and for a good majority of time it can be. However, in between the cocktails, weekend trips and the overall freedom, there is silence.When the kids go off to school the dynamics in the household obviously change, but the sounds of the family change as well. As Simon and Garfunkel sang, the “Sound of Silence” in my Empty Nest is what bothers me most, now that the kids are gone.
When the house is full of teenagers and activities it is rarely quiet. We hear the cell phones ringing, the music blasting, video games bombing and we hear the best sound of all…laughter. Craig and I laugh of course, but the sound is not that same as your child’s laughter. You know what I mean. I love to hear anyone laugh, especially a young child. Did you ever see the video that went viral with the baby and the dog and the bubbles? I loved that video.
The girls would be either in her room or in the kitchen with me and always laughing and talking. I also don’t get to hear the sound of the garage door opening that announces their arrival or 5- 10 noisy teenage boys showing up late on a Saturday night… “Hi Mrs. Stavert!” Oh, I miss that.
I am not gonna lie, this post made me cry a little. I put on a brave face most of the time, but it really is an adjustment when your children leave the nest. The good news is that I have done my job well (Craig helped too, lol) My children are independent, capable and adventurous. They have become everything and more than I could have dreamed of.
The fact is that you can read book after book about child rearing, but no one really prepares you for what happens when they turn 18 and leave you. I know they are not “leaving me” per se, but they are not living here any longer. Learning to be a successful and happy Empty Nester is a work progress. You learn by trial and error and sometimes just from sheer perseverance.This is a new chapter in our lives and it comes with a warning label: Beware of the sound of silence.
Do you notice any changes in the sounds of your house? I would love to hear about it.
Definitely miss the laughter too, but we make up for it when we see the kids. Wouldn’t trade our lives now and three happy independent young adults though.