AARP Rewards Online Community Empty Nest Contest 2025

I am a 54 year old mother and grandma my son who is 32 years old moved out about 6 months ago with my granddaughter who is 5 years old.

I do miss them but it was time to let him be out on his own and believe it or not I have the best peace of mind although I'm single it's ok. You never know I may eventually meet someone who knows.

Embracing our empty nest was difficult at first. Being used to grocery shopping and cooking for a family of five became cooking for two. Now that I have reduced the groceries and cooking and way less cleaning we have found ourselves with more free time. 

I had longer to go back and finish college that I started so many years ago. I am proud to report I will graduate with my bachelors degree December 10 and will begin my Masters degree in January. Following a dream I have had for the last 30 years raising kids has given me confidence and pride in accomplishing such a long term goal. 

1. Becoming empty nesters was step one. Watching our children spread their wings was an awesome accomplishment.

2. Step two was retirement. My husband retired six years before me. He loved doing things around the house (laundry, cooking etc). 

3. After I lost my job and retired we started traveling more. We bought a motorhome and headed south. We now spend our winters in Florida. Hurricane Ian destroyed our home in Fort Myers so we are now renting. Being empty nesters has its up and downs because we miss everyone but loving the retirement years.

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@AARPTeri wrote:

Now that the nest is empty, it’s your time to soar — and we want to celebrate your journey with AARP Rewards!

 

Join the AARP Rewards Connect Forum for a fun, feel-good contest focused on how you’re embracing this next chapter — and share your story.  Starting Monday, September 8, 2025 reply to this post sharing ways you are reconnecting, revelling in downtime or reinventing your weekend. 

 

We look forward to seeing your great posts!  Official Rules can be found here  -https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Empty-Nest-Contest-2025-Official/m-p/2623489 

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Empty nest has been both exciting and well empty. The quiet can be deafening. Yet when back into the noise that too can be deafening! Love going thru all the changes life has since the alternative is not welcomed. We still have a lot of living and exploring to do. As an empty nester, it’s easier to car camp. Let the exploring begin. 

Becoming an empty nester was a heartbreaking process as well as an accomplishment for both of us. We dedicated our lives to nurturing and managing our children’s existence without one ounce of regret. It took about 5 years plus to accept all that had been accomplished emotionally and financially. Whenever we offered support, receiving “No I’m good”, felt like rejection. They both had to explain how they appreciated the offers, but that we had prepared them well and if need be they knew how to ask for advice. As parents we went out our way to ensure that our children never felt the “need” or “want” of anything.
As husband and wife we feel blessed to really like and love each other very much. It has made the struggle easier and more compelling in re-establishing our relationship with no consideration to space, time or money. It took us 5 years plus to learn dependency is not a life long status, but love and appreciation is. 

I've been an empty nester for a long time and am now retired. The first year of retirement was like a honeymoon without any restrictions on my time! But having just ended the second year, I felt I was lacking purpose. I didn't miss meetings or long commute, however, there definitely was something missing. I volunteered through my church on weekends, but still what something more to do with my time. Fast-forward: I now have a part-time job and I'm in a certification programat night! I'm busy but not overly busy and still have free time to travel or catch brunch with friends. I think I have the best of whole world right now! 

My life has been somewhat easier now that I am an empty nester. I have taken up candle making and jewelry making to fill the slow parts of my day. I am not yet at the age of retirement so my job still keeps me pretty busy. However, I have enjoyed taking up my new hobbies as they keep my mind sharp and my hands active. 

I have been an Empty Nester for a long time. Both of my daughters (now, 30 and 35) went off to college and stayed in their college towns. (Binghamton and Buffalo, NY). I have gotten used to not seeing them often. They come home every Thanksgiving and Christmas. We try to have a family summer vacation every year, and I drive to them once a year. My youngest just got engaged, so we are super excited to be planning a wedding. We facetime every two weeks to keep up with each other's lives and it's great. Sure I miss physically seeing them, but our bond will always be strong as they are the loves of my life. They will be home next month, and we are going down to NYC to see the Broadway play, "Mamma Mia", so we are all looking forward to spending Thanksgiving and that weekend together. And then they will be home for Christmas. Then it is hard as I won't see them until the Spring. 

We have been empty nesters since 2012. We have one daughter and we told her before she graduated college, she will have to move home and work on getting her Masters degree if she does not have a full time job. That was enough motivation for her. She never moved home and luckily, she only lives 30 minutes south of us, so we see her, our son-in-law and grand dog quite often. They are doing great and that is what we want as parents, so that we can enjoy our golden years. We have a vacation home (that belonged to my husband's parents) in Mendocino County California so we are there at least twice a year. We've traveled to the Azores (all 9 islands) and short trips to Idaho, New York and Florida. We do not have pets anymore, because we dog sit for friends and our grand dog spends a lot of weekends with us. We have both battled cancer but are now cancer-free and enjoying retirement. I substitute teach 2 to 3 days a week, at the most. I am in a book club and take "girl trips" with my girlfriends as often as we can.. We are season ticket holders for the Atlanta Braves and love baseball! We have a full life and love it!

My empty nest occurred with my youngest son Daniel twice: the first time was when he headed off to UC Irvine for two years to complete his Bachelor’s degree, and the second time was when he relocated to the Los Angeles area two years ago, to pursue his dream as an Actor. During the first empty nest period, with me living near San Diego, and Daniel living in Irvine, CA, Daniel and I agreed to meet weekly in the Carlsbad/ Oceanside area for lunch or dinner. Sometimes, his beautiful girlfriend would join us. I thank God that my son and I had the desire to do so consistently for two years. After my son moved to the LA area, we agreed to meet every two weeks in San Clemente or Dana Point for breakfast or lunch, and a walk to the beach. This continues to this day. We also visit each other’s homes at least once a year. Although I have an empty nest, my heart is full of love due to the closeness I maintain with my youngest son! ❤️