AARP Rewards Online Community Empty Nest Contest 2025

[AARPTeri]

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-... 

[cr8804]

Our nest has been empty for over fifteen years and my husband and I have spent the past few years practicing for retirement. Daily we rise with the birds and my husband takes a two mile walk with our german shepherd  before he must go to work every day. I enjoy a more lesuirely morning and sip my hot coffee as I read my AARP and perhaps enjoy a quiz or two. I am partially retired and have the luxury of choosing my own hours teaching Senior exercise class, a job I adore. Once he returns I chirp my questions to him and he warbles his answers. "Did he see the owl today?" This is always a treat and more than once the owl has mistaken the dog ball for a rodent and attempted to to snatch it away. A hawk is a more common sighting, yet always a pleasure to see as it soars high above the earth. 

While my husband is showering it's my turn to take out the dog as she is never too tired for a walk. My path is a different one around a small pond which we travel daily. I will usually see ducks and geese and a chickadee or two. The heron may or may not make an appearance but is always such a rewarding sight.  

When the work day is done it's time for us to take our dog walk together. Often we are accompanied by a few gradchildren as they live just down the street. Sometimes we walk his route and other times mine but this is our time. After forty years together we do not hurry but rather meander along, pausing every so often as my husband utilizes the "Merlin" app which identifies birdsong. 

Evening birdsong is the sweetest ever and we relish this time.  

We will then enjoy our evening meal and with the dishwasher humming pleasantly we will settle into our nest and plan our imminent retirement. 

We will plot and scheme and discuss tiny details as we dream of the future. 

Again, we are still just practicing, but as they say, practice makes perfect!

[marieahilliard71]

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.

[WendyL462320]

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. 

[SereneSeagull]

Wow!  Congrats on your achievement!  Fantastic!

[barjim14]

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.

[SereneSeagull]

Sorry to hear about your home.  That’s incredibly hard. 

[MarieS245976]

---

@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-... 

---

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. 

[FaithRich2003]

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. 

[liz1210]

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! 

[DawnF691929]

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. 

[CherieC774889]

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. 

[LindaAlex54]

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!

[SereneSeagull]

Congrats to you both for beating Cancer!  

[cs2841]

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! ❤️

[JenniferG458663]

We have been empty nesters for only 6 weeks but are enjoying these days.  We have twins and have always known that come Labor Day 2025 we would be empty nesters.  While the end of August was met with much dread (and so many tears) from me and my husband, we are finding we enjoy the ease of life most days.  Less laundry, less groceries, less cooking.  Of course, so much more quiet which I believe is the hardest part of the kids leaving.  We find we talk so much more and are able to connect without running around and keeping tabs on the kids.  We are also patting ourselves on the back and feeling much pride as both kids are doing well, but also just as important, they have wanted to come "home" to see us and recharge for a weekend, which they did last week.  We are so grateful that we are still the safe and comfortable landing zone for them and we are well aware this stage shall pass far too soon as well.  To celebrate our empty nesting and break from daily responsibilities, we are going on long overdue vacation together next month.  

[EdnaJ491048]

Everyone has struggles and it makes us stronger as we move through those valleys. As a single Mom raising two young girls I asked myself daily am I doing whats best for them. Am I raising them to be kind, social conscience and hard working. Do they feel loved and feel safe. Through school, sports and music are they surrounded in a good environment.

How do I continue to guide and balance all this alone. 
It wasnʻt easy but I was blessed with family that stood by us through those times.

As they left to college and to spread their wings.  It hit me quite hard, but it also gave me a chance to see that those years and daily check ins with myself “did good”. I was proud they could be independent but still know where home is if they need it. For myself connecting with friends and family, looking forward to the reward of working since 16 are goals you make to keep going.
Will always feel a little of the empty nest alone but never lonely because this home raised two beautiful girls making a successful way through life! 🦋

Its filled with all of our Love everyday🌸

[jkcook]

I retired about nine years ago. My kids are grown and gainfully employed, each in their own house. I am enjoying my retirement by serving as a missionary for my church. I served in Tokyo, Japan, for 2 1/2 years working with members and missionaries there, teaching English and the gospel. Now I am working as a full-time volunteer in Yonkers, New York and enjoying life mainly working with immigrants and new members of the church here in New York. I still teach lots of English classes and how to live like Jesus Christ.I keep in constant contact with my kids via Facebook messenger and vacations, but enjoy being able to serve full-time as long as I'm healthy.

[SereneSeagull]

Thank you for all that you do.  Immigrants here are being treated horribly by this administration and some of his die-hard followers. It’s good to know that there are still good people in the world.  Thank you!  You make a difference!

[OldGeezer100]

We have been empty nesters for quite a while (I'm 83 and my wife is 78) and we have lived in Hot Springs Village for the past 11 years, which is one of the best places we've lived.  Our daughters are now in their early 50s and the younger one (age 50) and her husband have just recently moved from Texas to live within an hour of us, while our older daughter (age 53) and her husband will be looking to move no more than an hour from us (they live in Missouri).  We are both pleased and happy they are moving closer to us, but they also enjoy visiting us because we have a neat house in a rural area that has a beautiful view in the hills.  We can see quite a ways from our location on a ridge (at least 25 miles away) and it is all trees and hills.  We also have access to very large towns within 20 miles of us, and some towns are 45 miles away for more shopping and good restaurants.  When they've visiting in the past, they were always reluctant to go back to their towns and so now, have decided to move closer.  One daughter really wants our house, and the other daughter is fine with it, with the stipulation that she gets half the value to expand her (and her husbands) place to grow vegetables, fruits, etc plus have a couple of horses along with their dogs.  We are both in decent health overall, but my wife does have congenital heart failure, which means we move at a much slower pace, and take life much easier, which is fine with me as well.   I have walking trails, golf courses, and plenty of fishing lakes in the area, not bad for an orphan growing up in the 50s.   Even if I don't win this contest, I'm well content with our lifestyle and where we live, and that is because God has blessed more than we deserve.    

[margo74]

My empty nest is just me. Wait, NOT true! I have my faithful pooch, Ninja! We take long walks together! Ninja is my life saver, and my downtime most always includes him. I revel in the fact that we can go to different parks (well, where dogs are allowed) and spend time in nature. Ninja gets me out and about!

 I lost my husband to a massive heart attack two years ago and have joined a widow's group. I knew most of the ladies in our group, some that I haven’t seen in a while, and have also met many new wonderful friends. We meet once a month, but also go to concerts in the park, lunches, whatever someone suggests. I never, ever pictured myself in a “widows” group, but here we are. We really have a great time together. We share about our families, news in the community (ok-some gossip), health... We just get together and have a good time.

My weekends most often involve some time with my grandbabies. They are at an age where they are game for most of my shenanigans! Pumpkin patches, different crafts that grandma comes up with. I admit that some are weird. We just try to do something fun!

[SereneSeagull]

That’s great you have such a strong support system, and stay active with them.

[elainepadams]

I gave up my nest to my grandkids. It's full, but I'm not there. My husband and I moved to a peaceful retirement community.  We actually helped solve a few problems by turning over the big house to the big group--grandchildren and their families. Baby doesn't have to wait for a yard to play in. Relatives get their own bedrooms.  Everyone's happy, including us as we watch from afar.  

[FrancineM751700]

Unfortunately,  I had to stop work earlier than I planned....was worried about finances in the beginning.   Now I found i was better off than thought and I was able to purchase a lake shack, and I swim every day.....even in Upstate New York!  Planning on going the polar bear plunge on januaey 1st!  Bucket list = check!  I feel better than I have in years. Having just turned 70, I get a lot of exercise between swimming and the stationary bike my girlfriend bought....two hours a day.  I feel so very lucky, and while no one knows when their last day on this earth will come, I am pushing forward as if I could live forever!  God bless you all, I hope you find many bucket list moments in your own senior years

[SereneSeagull]

Living life to its fullest and staying active.  That’s great.  Enjoy it all!

[plachelier]

Finally enjoying the quiet, ability to travel at-will, get projects done and not having to be decently clothed at all times!

🙂

[SereneSeagull]

Fabulous!  Enjoy it!

[DanJ590890]

They've left our homes, not our hearts. We planned for the departure of our youngest child by signing up for community classes (cooking mostly), attend our religious institution (with some volunteering there) and recently joined the Red Coat crew (the volunteer group for Cleveland, Ohio's theater district). We both still work full time, which takes up much of our time. We also moved to a new apartment in downtown Cleveland. We love walking around the city we've called home and discovering places we never knew existed when we used to live in the suburbs. 

[SereneSeagull]

Isn’t it fun to explore things at a leisurely pace, that you hadn’t taken the time to do before.  Exploring for the first time, things that may have already been there.  All so exciting and new!  Enjoy!

[DeboraB413667]

I’ve been going on new adventures, exploring my city like a tourist and living in the moment day by day. It’s been nice to slow down and enjoy the little moments. 

[SereneSeagull]

Yes!!