Empty nesters

[Serin]

After having all 3 DC (22,19,18) home through lockdown, it's going to be quite a shock when they all leave again in Sept for their respective courses.
It's the first time that we wont have at least one of them staying here. Whilst we will welcome the increased fridge space we will miss the banter.
DH and I were planning on booking a really special holiday for October but Covid has scuppered that.
What plans and ideas do you have, to fill the void.

I expect I will be doing a lot of dog walking as he has got used to constant trips down the river.

We had two out of three plus a girlfriend living with us during lockdown. I have fond memories, it was really good fun (I’m lucky enough to have carried on working full time, not particularly worried about becoming ill, so have had a relatively stress free time), they’ve all been really good company.

Just one left now, and he’s going back to uni town in a week.

We had a big holiday planned for October with them all, now postponing until next year. We will try and do something in the U.K. in October as we have all booked the time off etc. It’s important to me to get us all together as the three dses are very different, arent really on contact when they aren’t at home, we rarely see ds2, and I like the family bonding it gives us. We took them all away last year and it worked really well.

Once they all leave for their various uni towns, I feel a bit down for a day, but then get used to my own space again until they all come back again and I have to adjust again! It’s a cycle.

We had a nice holiday last year once DS went to uni, so were certainly on the same page as you, @serin. I don't know what we would have done if it had been this year instead. I still have both of mine at home - the dog is loving it - but know that this is probably the last time we will all live together. My DC are not interested in coming on family holidays any more, sadly, nor are they good at keeping in touch when they are away. Somehow you just have to turn the page and start a new chapter.