Summer of Changes

By Natalie Caine, M.A.
NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert

Transitions for adults and children bring frustration. How does it show itself in your family?

Not sleeping. Irritability. Yelling. Immobile. Overeating.

A family shared with me they want a fun, happy summer, but the fears grip them.

Not enough money, too many people back in the house, relationship is all about problem solving and details, and yes, the not knowing how to handle the unknowns that come up.

• Have a check in party where each says what is on their mind and the others truly listen. Keep it brief. Each person gets five minutes. We use to do this with a talking stick. The person holding the stick, talks. You pass the stick around to the next person. A timer is set. Sounds silly.
  Silly worked.
• The person who has an idea speaks it after each one shares their five minute story. A guy complained that he was tired of being the only one with the ideas. He too wanted some help and ideas. He forgot to tell them that.
• You don\’t have to have solutions. The conversations make real connections. Trust builds. Caring emerges.
• Ask for help, “What do you think we can do about….?” You want to empower each other not blame.
• Say your feelings hopefully when you haven\’t stored them too long and therefore explode. Remind yourself you don\’t want to pin them into a corner. You don\’t need to be right. You need a happy household.
• Stay focused on your needs. If you wait for someone, you resent. You will get angry and hurt. You will heal. Differences bring curiosity and more knowing who you are and aren\’t.
• Feelings are just feelings. Vulnerability is part of being alive.

There are so many parts to you. By the way, wanting to yell and yell at someone is also a part of you.

Wanting to slam the door, say I quit, yes other parts of you. Those parts just don\’t have to be the all of you.

Those thoughts and feelings really do help you learn what isn\’t negotiable and what you can live with today.

Wishing you the fun of summertime.
Natalie

Change is inevitable. Get Ready. Get Support. Life transitions need a hand to hold.

Invite Natalie to speak in your community or bring her workshop to you.

Get a group of 10 and Natalie will come to your city. Call for a private consultation

natalie@emptynestsupport.com

1 800 446 3310 Los Angeles, CA

www.emptynestsupport.com

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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.