Community Manager

AARP Rewards Online Community Empty Nest Contest 2025

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
September 2, 2025
162 replies
59307 views

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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ssefscik

Contributor ⭐

I am smart, I never had any children and never regretted for one second. I may feel discriminated against for being smart by entering this contest!

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Greatest response!

J

jmika

Contributor ⭐

an empty nest has allowed us to travel and make those trips longer to places that have been on our bucket list for some time. But, to be honest, we do sometimes miss

them and are happy to see them, as long as it’s a SHORT visit!

A

aprilmiller

Contributor ⭐

More time to travel & see the world

N

Nickb1935

Contributor ⭐

No kids means time for wine tours

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Or having no whine now!

M

MeganR13308

Contributor ⭐

We went on our very first cruise!

G

GeneB283682

Contributor ⭐

Since retiring then moving to Portland Oregon in 2020, I have found a community through volunteering with various programs of Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) - Aging Well, Ambassador Council, Community Advisory Board, Esther’s Food Pantry, and Camp KC, along with other temporary needs and events for this amazing nonprofit organization serving the HIV & LGBTQ+ communities in the Portland area for 40+ years.

As a client and volunteer I have felt welcomed, needed, and celebrated for who I am.

Gene Bishop

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Sounds great!

L

LeighS833303

Contributor ⭐

My husband and I are not empty nesters yet, and I'm not sure we will be able to become so, because we have one child with health and emotional challenges. That said, I like to share my daydreams with him about our possible retirement someday, and he shares his; it makes me appreciate him more too I think!

And it definitely strengthens our relationship to share hopes for our futures and see that we are still, after all these years together, on the same wavelength.

L

LynnM617441

Contributor ⭐

Hello Leigh,

I don't know whether your situation is similar to mine, but just in case it is, I would like to pass along to you some wisdom that my Mom shared with me almost two decades ago.

When we were discussing the future, I said that I planned to have my son, who has major special needs, live with me for as long as I could physically take care of him. In under ten seconds, she changed my mind completely. She said something to the effect of, "Lynn, which would be easier on him? To transition into a group home while you are healthy enough to be able to help him, or to have to deal with losing his home and his mother all at once?" It was partly based on that advice that he is now living in a group home.

I realize your situation might be completely different from my own, but I thought it worth passing her thoughts along.

R

rg335

Contributor ⭐⭐

Weekly I get together with friends and colleagues to socialize and explore new activities.

J

janibird

Contributor ⭐

It's really nice not to have my life dictated by when the school year ends or begins! Summer ,Winter, Spring or Fall our life is our own!

C

ChristineW823235

Contributor ⭐

Being able to enjoy weekend on my own timetable, without worrying about thinking of activities that everyone will enjoy. With only one daughter that wasn't hard, but only worrying about doing something myself and my husband will enjoy is easier!

A

acm05

Contributor ⭐⭐

Not the usual empty nester, no kids, but I did have my father living with me for 5 years. He died last year and not having the responsibility of his care makes me feel like a weight has literally been lifted off of me. I've been able to take a few trips without having to organize care.

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

It’s you time! Enjoy it!

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