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Natalie Caine Founder of Empty Nest Support Services

Natalie Caine is the founder of Empty Nest Support Services. When her daughter was a senior in high school, she realized that as a soon-to-be “empty nester,” she would be undergoing a major life shift. Not wanting to confront this transition alone nor have her many friends face this abyss without strong support, she created a support services group, which quickly grew into a new career and an exciting full-time business.

Empty Nest Support Services helps anticipating empty nesters and empty-nest families through the joys and challenges of a new life chapter. Natalie is thrilled to work with people all over the country to handle this transition. She never imagined this passion would lead to speaking engagements, consulting, teaching others how to facilitate support groups, and a popular website, www.emptynestsupport.com, which features articles, teleseminars, blogs, newsletters, a story of the month, an art gallery, and a lively free forum. (Natalie's interview with “Lifetime Radio Station for Women” is also available on the site.)

In 1972, Natalie received a master's degree and board of medical examiner's license in speech and language therapy. After 15 years of offering therapy and workshops to the Los Angeles Unified School District, she opened a private practice to serve her community. Since the early 80s, Natalie has created and facilitated women's support groups dealing with marriage, divorce, parenting, dating, illness, loss, and helping people fulfill their dreams and goals.

In addition to devoting time to her business, Natalie is the Southern California representative for the International Women's Writing Guild and a member of the National Association for Women Writer's and the California Speech and Hearing Association. She is the Empty Nest Expert for ClubMom.com and the Empty Nest expert for the National Association for Baby Boomer Women.

Natalie lives in Southern California with her husband and cat. Currently, her daughter is a junior in college studying abroad. Later this year, her first of books, Empty Nest: Life Beyond Parenting, will be published.

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Parents Need to Recognize Their Goals for Collegiate Spring Break May Not Match Their Student’s Desires

By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW’s Associate for Life in TransitionWhether you are a first time parent of a college student or an experienced one, as Spring Break arrives, it's likely you are planning th…By Natalie Caine, M.…By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW’s Associate for Life in TransitionWhether you are a first time parent of a college student or an experienced one, as Spring Break arrives, it's likely you are planning their favorite meals and watching the clock, hoping their plane or car arrives on time. You're anxious to have your family finally be "all together again." And you can't wait to finally see their faces! Meanwhile, your favorite college student likely has a totally different set of goals. I remember a group of college kids shared with me that they have been so stressed with exams, and socia…

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Is It the Season for After School Afternoons with a Kitchen Full Of Kids Doing Homework and Eating Snacks? Not in the Empty Nest

By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Empty NestBack to school is already happening.  Parents are checking the lists and encouraging their children\'s hearts, saying, "All will be fine, it is g…By Natalie Caine, M.…By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Empty NestBack to school is already happening.  Parents are checking the lists and encouraging their children\'s hearts, saying, "All will be fine, it is going to be a fantastic year." Then there is you, Mom and Dad.  I remember when I dropped my daughter off at college, three thousand miles from home. I knew I would be fine and I knew I would be sad. I did not know what I wanted to do with the free time nor with the longing for the phone to ring with her on the other end.  Sure texts were a connection, but there is nothing like the sound…

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What Should You Do When You Feel Unhappy? Consider Starting a Daily Practice

What Should You Do When You Feel Unhappy? Consider Starting a Daily Practice  By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Life in Transition The book “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Princip…What Should You Do W…What Should You Do When You Feel Unhappy? Consider Starting a Daily Practice  By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Life in Transition The book “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles,” by Marianne Williamson suggests that we daily ask, Where would you have me go? What would you have me do? What would you have me say and to whom? Whether you are preparing for a change (empty nest, divorce, career, illness, loss) or just suddenly find yourself sitting "in the midst of it," people always ask what helps me. Sometimes weeping or simply…

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In Honor of Mother\’s Day: What\’s the Best Advice Your Mother Ever Gave You?

In Honor of Mother\'s Day: What\'s the Best Advice Your Mother Ever Gave You? By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Life in Transition Do you wonder what your kids would say to that question…In Honor of Mother\'…In Honor of Mother\'s Day: What\'s the Best Advice Your Mother Ever Gave You? By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Life in Transition Do you wonder what your kids would say to that question? It might be fun to ask them on Mother\'s Day. Here is a short list of what advice was given to women, by their mothers, from my circle: Help others even if you feel shy. Go for it because the clock is ticking. Hold your own hand. You don\'t have to see it. Pray anyhow. Open the door for others. Try again and again. Save money as soon as you make some. Nothing lasts forever, …

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Staying Inspired During Life\’s Challenges

Staying Inspired During Life\'s Challenges By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Life in Transition How do you keep going when you  feel like you are immersed in challenges? Here are some su…Staying Inspired Dur…Staying Inspired During Life\'s Challenges By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Associate for Life in Transition How do you keep going when you  feel like you are immersed in challenges? Here are some suggestions: Call someone you trust. Ask them if you can POUR your heart out. Consider what you think a dear friend would do if her or she were in your shoes? Exercise. Get outside and walk noticing what is in FRONT of you as you walk. Trust that, "This too shall pass." Give yourself the gift of a few simple PLEASURES, like movie day, a day at home or ordering in food. DOODLE Read up…

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Celebrate Love This February. Specifically, Choose to Focus on What You Love About Yourself

Celebrate Love This February. Specifically, Choose to Focus on What You Love About Yourself By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert Focus is important. I enjoy choosing a focus …Celebrate Love This …Celebrate Love This February. Specifically, Choose to Focus on What You Love About Yourself By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert Focus is important. I enjoy choosing a focus for each month. With February around the corner, it is natural to choose to focus on love. It\'s always a great focus. But for today, let\'s not focus on ludus, or eros, which are the Greek terms for romantic and sexual love. And let\'s not talk about agape, either. That\'s the Greek term for family love. Instead, let\'s focus on self-love. But before you start thinking I\'m recommending sel…

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The Holidays Are Upon Us: How Are You Doing At Projecting an Image of “Warmth and Welcome?”

The Holidays Are Upon Us: How Are You Doing At Projecting an Image of "Warmth and Welcome?" By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest ExpertThanksgiving and holiday time brings out the shine, goodies …The Holidays Are Upo…The Holidays Are Upon Us: How Are You Doing At Projecting an Image of "Warmth and Welcome?" By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest ExpertThanksgiving and holiday time brings out the shine, goodies and beauty, as well as my black stretch pants.   I love the holidays for its anticipation, creativity, memories of loved ones, sentiments, and new traditions. When we travel and gather, like a decorated room, we mix and match.  We move our lives around, like chairs, and hope for comfort and connection. I know holidays also bring expectations and disappointments from the mundane -- like the…

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Is Empty Nest Necessary?

Is Empty Nest Necessary? By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest ExpertIn my group, sweet Susan said with a slight laugh, "Loss is necessary but is empty nest?" We were talking about the cumulati…Is Empty Nest Necess…Is Empty Nest Necessary? By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest ExpertIn my group, sweet Susan said with a slight laugh, "Loss is necessary but is empty nest?" We were talking about the cumulative losses over our lifetimes. Susan was having a sad day. Her bottom line essentially boiled down to this, "I tried for months to get pregnant, then put up with enforced bed rest in order to stay pregnant, then once he got to age two I had to raise him by myself, etc.,  Yet no one told me loss is necessary and he will leave, and won’t put a thank-you note in my mailbox. Experts on mornin…

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Intensity in the Empty Nest

Intensity in the Empty Nest By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert As we ease out of Summer, and into Fall, many of us will agree that we\'ve been through an intense time. That\'s why it is…Intensity in the Emp…Intensity in the Empty Nest By Natalie Caine, M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert As we ease out of Summer, and into Fall, many of us will agree that we\'ve been through an intense time. That\'s why it is now time to take a few minutes for ourselves, and why it is especially important to review our core values. For me, when I remember that I am more than what I am in the midst of living, then I can be present with perseverance and hope. Wondering where to start? Here are some suggestions: Review your talents. Check out how you are doing with your self-worth. Don\'t allow your inner criti…

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Empty Nest—The Count Down

Empty Nest -- The Count Down By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert Packing them up, checking the list, finalizing details, as your children are almost in the dorm. You are shocked that t…Empty Nest -- The Co…Empty Nest -- The Count Down By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert Packing them up, checking the list, finalizing details, as your children are almost in the dorm. You are shocked that this life you have had with your precious one has gone so fast. Empty nest is not for long because they do come back, but for now, that is not what you are thinking and feeling. It is so normal to feel tearful, even having the ugly cries. The role you love is instantly going to change when you come back home from that hug at the dorm. You know the role you played as a parent and who they w…

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Give Yourself Permission to Play This Summer

Give Yourself Permission to Play This Summer By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert  Whether solo or with a friend, summer invites you to get out and see what you haven\'t had the chance …Give Yourself Permis…Give Yourself Permission to Play This Summer By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert  Whether solo or with a friend, summer invites you to get out and see what you haven\'t had the chance to explore.   Our groups, which sometimes meet on the telephone, all agreed, that two days of getting out of town, lifted their spirits while in a transition.   They laughed at how some decisions -  like getting out of town - are easy yet others feel spin them into exhaustion. Here is a short list of what they have been doing: Visiting local gardens Kayaking  Enjoying a pamperi…

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For Boomer Women It\’s Still Father\’s Day, Even If You\’ve Lost Your Dad

For Boomer Women It\'s Still Father\'s Day, Even If You\'ve Lost Your Dad By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert  Does the memory of your dad bring a smile?  It does for me.   In our gro…For Boomer Women It\…For Boomer Women It\'s Still Father\'s Day, Even If You\'ve Lost Your Dad By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert  Does the memory of your dad bring a smile?  It does for me.   In our group, many of us have lost our dad.  Still Father\'s Day is around the corner. Some treasure just this one more time with dad, Sunday, at their house, wondering if it will be the last Father\'s Day together.  Gratitude for another time to simply sit in the same room with dad even if he doesn\'t have much to say. Other parents love watching their little ones run to the door to let grandpa in, "Gra…

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100 Cameras, My Story

By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert  When my daughter went 3,000 miles to college, I felt a spread of feelings.  Happy for her, excited that I, her mother was a part of her journey up …By Natalie Caine M.A…By Natalie Caine M.A.NABBW's Empty Nest Expert  When my daughter went 3,000 miles to college, I felt a spread of feelings.  Happy for her, excited that I, her mother was a part of her journey up to this door and empty from a role I loved and knew was shifting. I had a career, husband, friends, family, and lovely home.  I tell you that because I wasn’t void of a good life.  I was void of being with my daughter.  The daily, ordinary days of parenting and challenging hours of differences came to a sudden stop. No longer did I start my day attending to her needs and schedule.  Wha…

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert The friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you. Elbert Hubbard Memories rise up. People we have spent time with …Thanksgiving By Nat…Thanksgiving By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert The friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you. Elbert Hubbard Memories rise up. People we have spent time with and those we no longer can see, come visiting in our minds and hearts. Memories are a good thing. We fear the tears, the loneliness, and we long for connections. What I appreciate about the human spirit is we get to begin, again. We get to be brave and make up new traditions, break some rules, and allow who we are today to simply be happy. Some people have communities and others don\'t…

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Change It Up

Change It Up By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert When I was in Boston last week, I tried something new. While walking, and this sounds silly I know, I would stop and look up. Peopl…Change It Up By Nat…Change It Up By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert When I was in Boston last week, I tried something new. While walking, and this sounds silly I know, I would stop and look up. People in windows, staircases, cranes, flashing tall lights, birds and squirrels, shoes, the moon, stars, planes, lanterns, animals in the clouds. When I have the fun of taking photos, I photograph a different perspective rather than only what is right in front of me with the object. In my morning support group of transitions, we made a list of what we are going to do differently this week: 1. Not…

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Why Don\’t More Parents Talk About Empty Nest?

Why Don\'t More Parents Talk About Empty Nest? By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert This weekend kids are packing up and heading to college. Parents are shocked at the gut pain they a…Why Don\'t More Pare…Why Don\'t More Parents Talk About Empty Nest? By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert This weekend kids are packing up and heading to college. Parents are shocked at the gut pain they are feeling, hugging goodbye. The "ugly cry" visits them at unpredictable times, like while marketing. Goodbye drops them into the reality that their parenting role will never be as it was before. They are kicked out of the kingdom with an unfamiliar role as parents. Parents are in the background, not leading, not seeing day to day, and not hearing the stories after school. It is a major life …

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Saying Goodbye to Your College Bound Kids

Saying Goodbye to Your College Bound Kids By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert In our parent group, I suggested each share what they will miss and what they look forward to when they …Saying Goodbye to Yo…Saying Goodbye to Your College Bound Kids By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert In our parent group, I suggested each share what they will miss and what they look forward to when they aren\'t parents every day. I suggested they remember to allow different parts of them to speak, the confident one, the brave one, the sad one, the freedom one, etc. We forget we have so many parts within us when sadness grips. Tears are a great thing even though I have never met one person who likes to cry unless they are alone. Even alone, the beginning of tears feels the worst because you do…

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Can You See The Bigger Picture?

Can You See The Bigger Picture? By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert Parents are on the countdown to goodbyes. When you are going through a transition, it helps to focus on the grand…Can You See The Bigg…Can You See The Bigger Picture? By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW's Empty Nest Expert Parents are on the countdown to goodbyes. When you are going through a transition, it helps to focus on the grander image of why you are choosing what you are choosing. 1. Do you need more energy?2. Is it time to explore a change of behaviors or people in your life?3. Whether chosen or given, change happens, so what is possible now for you?4. Who can help you?5. How do you make decisions, quickly or over time?6. What are your gifts and your limitations?7. How do you comfort yourself?8. What fears pop up a…

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