This past week I hosted a reunion of 8 girlfriends. We met 30 years ago when we were all living in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, having babies and wondering how we were going to survive sleep deprivation and sibling rivalry! Over the years we’ve experienced joyful weddings, children’s divorces, a child’s death, job losses, moves and just about everything in between. We’ve laughed, cried and prayed together. Now that we are all well into the empty nest it was great fun to reflect on what we’ve learned and to reflect on what advice we might offer those approaching or newly into the empty nest.

Here are a few of our ideas in no particular order:

Be nice to you mother-in-law because you will be one soon!

Begin to develop new interests that you and your husband might share.

Expect your child to experience failure and disappointment. It’s normal.

When they call, take notes on things they say (that exam, that relationship, etc.) so you can remember to ask them about their news the next time you talk.

Prepare them to be financially independent.

Don’t bail them out when they overdraw. 

Ask, “How can I pray for you this week?” Then do it!

Start looking for someone else who needs you or someone for whom you can care.

Reach out to an exhausted new mother.

Take a class.

Buy new lingerie, your husband will love it.

Plan a second honeymoon.

Ask yourself and perhaps someone else, “Is there anything for which I need to ask forgiveness?”

Get all those medical tests done that you never have. It might just save your life.

Keep in mind: you did a good job- they left!

Pray they don’t move back in!

Be careful of criticizing, instead encourage, encourage!

 We would love for you to post comments of things you would add to this list!

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