By Debby Nicklas It was the best and worst hug ever. We stood at Los Angeles International Airport saying goodbye as our son left to study abroad in Prague. His hug was tighter than usual and lingered longer. It said more than any words that a 21-year-old could say. Then off he went on his adventure. And as any typical parent, I was worried but excited for him. With the help of online banking and Google, a San Luis Obispo mom stays connected to her 21-year-old son traveling abroad This phase of parenting — letting go — is the hardest one of all. You are used to being the center of his life... Read More

I Struggle Too With Transitions By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert Parents, college grads, worker bees, boomers, married and single, all want the one, two, three directions so they don\’t cry or stay in bed all day while not knowing WHAT\’S NEXT. Wanting and reality sit on the same bench. Separate them. “I just want to know already.” “I am still in shock and need to be for now.” You have been in the unknown before. How did you get through those times? My clients tell me they don\’t remember. They do remember when we name situations... Read More

Boomers And Parents, Jump In Puddles By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert The mourning of the Tucson tragedy affects each of us uniquely as memories of loss and fears of loss surface. None of us knows when deep sorrow puts the brakes on our lives as we knew it. Comfort yourself, comfort others. Sit face to face with what you love. Let yourself be the playful child and jump in puddles. One of the stories that stays with me over the years of my work is a mother who said, “I watch my children play and I don\’t jump in.” What in your life might you jump into? Take... Read More

Here is the moment you\’ve been waiting for—your last child has moved out of the house and is now “on his own.” You drop off his last boxes at his new apartment, meet his roommate, and drive home with your husband to your quiet, empty house. You can finally enjoy some “peace and quiet,” you tell yourself, some “me” time for yourself, and “we” time with your spouse. You can also finally get to all those things you\’ve been meaning to do. You\’ve been looking forward to this day with mixed feelings—excited, but at the same time a little sad—but overall, you\’ve... Read More