What are you going to do after your kids leave?

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This is a question that I asked myself a lot back in 2014.

My kids were getting older & my daughter had already left home to finish high school at a boarding school.  My house was quieter than it had been in years with only one child left at home.

I remember hoping that answers would come sooner rather than later.  It was difficult and confusing to not know what I was going to do with my extra free time once my son left home as well.

This began my quest to figure out how I was going to BE in this next chapter of life.

You don’t have to be full time parents anymore.

After spending so many years with my kids as my sole focus, that was hard for me to take in.  That brought me back to the question of “Who am I now?”.  I knew myself as a parent but what else was there.

In my first yoga therapy training, I remember realizing that I didn’t know myself anymore.  If I didn’t know who I was anymore, then how was I going to figure out what I was going to do as an empty nest mom.  I had so many questions!

This was a major life change that I wasn’t prepared for and as someone who likes to think ahead, that was unsettling as well.

A perfect opportunity

So, I took this chance to try new things.  I explored new ideas and new paths.  Some worked out well & some not so much.  It was all helpful in guiding me to where I am at now in my life.

Now, it’s your turn to explore and try new things as well.  For so many years, you encouraged your kids to do try new things.  This time after your kids move out is a perfect opportunity to try something new for yourself.  It could be a new hobby, a new skill, a new business or a new job.  When your child leaves home, you can make changes that you couldn’t make as easily while they were still at home.

What will you do or try first?

So what will you change?  How will you shift?

There are so many choices and ways that you can shift but how do you know what you really want?

Family dynamics have changed and this means you’ll need to change as well.

This is a time to ask lots of questions of yourself.  To be curious and willing to try new things.  Some will work out beautifully and others not so much.  You won’t know until you at least try to shift and create change in your life.

Get support for this transitional period.

Parents often speak about the joy you will feel when your kids move out.  Finally, time to myself again!  Am I right?  I know I looked forward to this time of life.

The reality is that it’s such a bittersweet time for moms.  You have mixed emotions about this process of your kids moving out.  Yes, you’re excited to have your kids leave & not be on call for them 24 hours a day.  You’re also sad because you aren’t needed in the same way anymore.  You’re happy that they are independent & can function on their own.  You’re also heartbroken that you won’t be seeing their face every day.

It’s confusing to have so many feelings all at once!  Then, to add in trying to change your daily life to fit you better, can be overwhelming.

You don’t have to go through this alone!

I had the support of my yoga therapy training to help me through this transitional period.  I know not everyone has this support though.

This is why I’ve made it a goal to support other moms as they move through this transitional period.  You deserve as much support in this time of life as you got as a new mom.

Are you ready to accept that support?

Who Am I Now?

Who Am I Now? is my support group for empty nest moms.   This support group is 4 weeks long and we’re starting a live round of it on September 12th.

We’ll start by checking in with where you are right now.  Next, I’ll lead you through steps to begin to get to know yourself again.  In week 3, you’ll begin to explore your passions in this stage of life.  In the last week, you’ll craft your next steps on your path.

At the end of the 4 weeks, you’ll have more clarity, more confidence and a better connection to yourself.

Registration is open now for this support group.  The Early Bird rate is available until 9pm  ET on 9/3/20.  Save yourself a few dollars & register early!  To learn more about this support group click here.

I won’t run another live round of this group until February of 2021.  I’ve talked with moms who years later are still trying to figure out their life years after their kids have moved out of the house.  You don’t have to wait that long.  Take control & begin to create a life that fits you now.

I can’t wait to see you thrive as an empty nest mom!

Love & hugs,

Becky