Our oldest son moved out last Sunday. He’s the third one to go with one more left here in the nest. The moving out of each child has created changes in the way things are done here. Changes in relationships.

Changes, changes, changes. This whole year has been full to the brim with changes!

It made me wonder how my life will look once I am truly an empty nester. Here are 20 things that come to mind.

I will know I’m truly and empty nester when…

1. My kids’ rooms have been transformed into studio and office spaces for Warren and myself.
2. I am no longer aware of when the neighborhood schools start or when the vacations are.
3. I stop waking up in the middle of the night wondering if everyone is home.
4. When the kids come over and I want to feed them but there isn’t any of their favorite foods in the pantry. Only healthy stuff.
5. I no longer feel compelled to hide the alcohol in my bedroom.
6. I miss having little kids around.
7. I no longer have to remove my kid’s laundry from the washer or dryer to do my own.
8. When my kids come to visit and have to ask where something is because they are no longer familiar with every aspect of this house.
9. When they talk about people, places and events in their lives that I’m not familiar with.
10. I don’t talk them several times a day.
11. When the garden shed, attic and garage are clear of sports equipment and their personal items.
12. When I can write, read or create without several interruptions per hour.
13. When I can stop marking my FABRIC scissors because I’m the only one using my supplies.
14. They have loving relationships with an adult other than an immediate family member.
15. When pens,scissors and tape no longer disappear into my kids’ rooms.
16. The radio station in my car is always where I left it.
17. My supply of birthday gift wrap, gift bags, and birthday cards stop having cartoon characters on them.
18. I stop wondering “who did it” when there are only two of us here.
19. I worry and wonder where they are and who they are with less often.
20. It’s been a long time since I was referred to as someone’s mom. 

Are you an empty nester? How did you know you were finally there?