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... Read More

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... Read More

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 about... Read More

Father\’s Day By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert None of these photos are my dad. They are my dad\’s imaginary best friends. I loved seeing him, just home from a match, club bag on arm and clicking sounding shoes, coming across the floor. Not his profession, his weekend obsession. If he wasn\’t in a game, as he grew frail, he and I would curl up, TV on high volume, cheering about something that I never did figure out, except when the white ball rolled on the green and into that circle. He wasn\’t into teaching. The match was his relaxation time.... Read More

As a baby boomer woman, you probably have endured many joys and challenges during your life’s journey. A dear friend of mine, Carrie E. Pierce opens her heart and shares her story of a loving relationship that ended abruptly and how she was able to heal herself by seeing the beauty of her wounds. ‘The wound is the place where the Light enters you.’ – Rumi Four days before this past Christmas, Life delivered a kick to my gut that sent me reeling -on many levels- and drove me so hard to my knees; I struggled for two weeks before I could remotely regain my footing. During this time, I was... Read More

Five Fun Free Activities to do at Grandma’s House By Debra L. Karplus, MS, OTR/L, for GRAND Magazine NABBW’s Grandparenting Expert You have fond memories of the alone time you spent with your grandparents. Now that you are a grandparent, you know that one of life’s greatest joys is to have to the little ones or not-so-little ones at your house without their parents. It can be a real treat for them and for you if you think of memorable activities to do when they visit. It’s not about how much money you spend or how elaborate the plans, some of the simplest activities can be done... Read More

12 Secrets To Great Romance For The Rest Of Your Life By Judith Sherven, Ph.D. NABBW’s Healthy Relationships Expert You can have The New Intimacy in your life. And, it\’s easier than you think! All you have to do is begin practicing the first of these ten steps. When you feel comfortable, add the next one that attracts you most. Before long you\’ll notice a difference in your confidence, self-respect, your capacity to give and receive love and, of course, the intimacy that makes it all worthwhile. See what magic you create! Step 1: ACCEPT COMPLIMENTS. Do you have trouble accepting... Read More

Have You Had To Speak Up In A Difficult Situation? By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert Did you speak up or let it be? A woman I worked with didn\’t think it was ok for her to share with her kids that she wanted what she wanted, which was to make her own choices about whether to travel or stay home. She used the words, wanted what she wanted because that was the unspoken truth. It is her choice and she forgot that thought. Yes, she heard all the reasons why she needed to go on a trip to “get out there” and yet she didn\’t think it was ok for them to... Read More

Leaving Behind What Was By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert A teacher shared with me years ago, “Confusion is great.” I frowned because that made no sense. Now it does. Confusion takes you out of routine and what you believe to be true. It is a choice to bring up courage and trust. You have heard me say it before, TRUST IS EARNED. You lose trust in yourself and others. Trust is not a given. You have more to lose than gain in the process of trusting because you can get hurt. Hurt is not the end. When you trust someone with private information and they tell... Read More

Silence Your Inner Critic . . . One Day at a Time By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert You\’re bored. You get in your car. You\’re not sure where you want to go. You go to the same old places and do the same old things. You say to yourself, “nothing ever changes”. Recently, I asked some of my group members where they go and what they do to have a better day. Their responses included these places and activities: 1. Shopping for bargains 2. Looking at new cars 3. Visiting a garden shop 4. Walking on the beach 5. Adopting a pet 6. Going to a bookstore 7.... Read More