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Empty nest syndrome

Handmaid for Jesus

You can't steal my joy
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Has anyone else gone through this and how did you cope. My youngest just moved out and I miss him so much I have been physically sick.
Please tell me when the pain will ease. It feels like a bereavement.

It will take a while, but it gets better. I pray your strength in the Lord.
 
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davedajobauk

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Has anyone else gone through this and how did you cope. My youngest just moved out and I miss him so much I have been physically sick.
Please tell me when the pain will ease. It feels like a bereavement.


Do you encourage visitation ?
Would you ?
It needn't be FINAL.....

Unlike bereavement, it's still possible to maintain CONTACT
any 'burnt-bridges' could seriously obstruct that BUT NOT be impossible to overcome

:prayer: about-it

pray that you have taught him well
and ask The Good Shepherd
to take good care of him, out there, in the world


:amen:
 
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shera19

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We are on good terms. There was no argument. It,s just that I only got to know two weeks beforehand so I had no time to prepare myself. plus I am still grieving for a close relative who just passed away at Christmas. My daughter also moved into a house she,s bought with her boyfriend 4 weeks ago.
I feel like I,ve lost everyone in a very short space of time.
 
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Handmaid for Jesus

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We are on good terms. There was no argument. It,s just that I only got to know two weeks beforehand so I had no time to prepare myself. plus I am still grieving for a close relative who just passed away at Christmas. My daughter also moved into a house she,s bought with her boyfriend 4 weeks ago.
I feel like I,ve lost everyone in a very short space of time.

I do know how you feel. It is an empty pit in the bottom of your stomach that holds so much pain. Do you go to church? I found that throwing myself into church activity and worship helps greatly. It keeps you busy so you don't focus so much on your loneliness and it provides company to you that the children's moving has taken away. And read the Bible. The gospels are wonderful for filling the void and healing your broken heart. Sing. Sing to Jesus. I started singing love songs to Jesus. He is the only one who promises to never leave you nor forsake you. He is the only one who sticks closer than a brother. He is the only one who promises to bind up your broken heart. Turn to Him with your whole heart and, though it may take time, He will do exactly what He promises. Then you will be able to look back at your journey and laugh, saying, "Thank you Lord for my journey."
 
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davedajobauk

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dysert

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Yes, it does get easier over time. How much time is an individual thing so I couldn't guess for you. Just remain in touch with them: Email, phone, text. Don't let a week go by without some sort of communication. Time does help this wound.
 
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Handmaid for Jesus

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There are some good people on here. Thankyou for lifting my heart a little.
Letting my children go start their own homes and families was a hard thing for me to do, but our God is so faithful. Lean on Him...and us too. :). He and we don't mind a bit.
 
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davedajobauk

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I now live ALONE (physically)

Separated from my (blood) family, by @ 182 miles
3-4 hours drive, away

I now live, in the house of my (Late) former partner (of eight and a half years)
surrounded by good neighbours and my Mary's family (Good People)
While I do not 'hunger' as you do, presently
I have had 'those days' of emptiness and regret and enforced 'solitude'
which were so, 'unwished-for' :hug:

When we look, at the reasons WHY, we bring up children
we can, place our emphasis on making them prepared for what they all must do (eventually)
ie: face the world and then, to make their very-own 'niche' within it

Sometimes, we will find it a thankless task (I know)
but eventually, 'reports' of successes and overcomings WILL
filter back to us, and imbuing us, with satisfaction, pride and warming comfort
We did our JOB, as best we could, and the fruit on the trees are worthy of consumption

How sweet the victory, that you Lord, by your grace, have blessed us with
To you Lord, is due all of the Praise and the Glory
\o/
:amen:
 
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joyshirley

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Our youngest child moved out recently as she bought a house with her partner, just like your girl did. However, we had a couple of years to accustom ourselves to the idea as when they lived with us, they were saving hard for a deposit. However, I miss my girl's lively chatter quite a bit. Our son and his wife stayed with us for a few years after marrying, in order to get their finances in order, before moving out. His moving out was much more sudden, similar to your son's, where we were told his wife had found and leased an apartment for them only about three weeks before the actual move. That was a shock to me and I found it very difficult to get used to the idea that he wasn't coming home to our place after work any more. The empty feeling does lessen over time. The thing I found most helpful is a private message which the kids and I started. One could do the same with an email set up to include both of your children. Over the years, it has become a place to keep up with the latest news and/or just to chat and have a laugh. My son often logs in just to say 'What's up, people?' and chat flows from there. We have organised little get-togethers and all sorts on this neverending message. (We use facebook's private message system for this.) It's good cos we can have daily contact without - how can I put this? - without putting pressure on any of our four children to feel obliged to include us in all their plans. I am very conscious of the fact that our kids are setting out on their own journeys and I need to step back and let them go for it, while being here for them when needed. Of course, we love getting together with all four of our children as and when, but we have come to enjoy our own lives apart from the children as well now. :) God bless you - may He strengthen you and instil His peace in your heart about the new journeys for you all.
 
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