I’m drained.

Emotionally because my daughter graduated and I am about to become an empty nester.

Mentally because I just spent too much time with family- I promise there will be stories but I am too spent to tell them.

Physically because my daughter no longer has a curfew but I still can’t sleep till she’s home…..and there were many late nights this past week.

My Daughter has a summer bucket list- things she want’s to do/try before she heads off to DC. We spent the day yesterday in Battery Park City- riding the sea glass carousel, then walking along the water till we got to the newly refurbished South Street Seaport Pier 17. We ate at an outdoor café and enjoyed the summer sun. It reminds me of when my daughter was younger and I would plan city adventures for our family. Except now, my daughter is the one with the ideas and the itineraries. It’s nice having someone else do the planning…

I’m going to try to enjoy the next few months, my daughter sleeping in the room down the hall. I honestly don’t know how often she will be back here…she is already talking about spending next summer abroad…

So today is short and sweet- sort of like me. I’m going to breathe today, and make pesto with the ridiculous amount of basil that has grown in my planter…

Art exhibit where were given pain and crayons and can add to it
Crab cake at Industry City
The Salty Pimp at Big Gay Ice Cream
Sea Glass Carousel Battery Park City

65 thoughts on “The New Beginning”

  4. Although it must be so hard knowing that this is her last summer at home, she is incredibly lucky to have such a loving and caring mum like you to think of her that way. Look forward to hearing more stories and adventures.
    Oh and enjoy the home made pesto! X

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    1. Thank you! That’s the thing….I’m thrilled that she’s strong and smart, but yeah….I’m going to miss her! I get that that is the whole parenting thing….but….doesn’t make it easy

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  5. I live 5,694 kilometers from Battery Park (thanks Google) and some other readers could be even farther. As a suggestion to your blog, I would have enjoyed either links to show where they are or photos as they sounded interesting. I have not been to New York and live in one of two cities in the world with a lake at both ends of the city (north is okanagan lake and south is skaha lake). A community of only 33,000 and 8 kilometers from head to toe.

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      2. I know!! Alas yesterday I was singularly focused on the not family shots , but I included a few fun ones in the post!!😉😉

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  6. I’m having flashbacks at the moment, especially of my youngest who hit the ground running after high school and has become an amazing 26 year old. She just bloomed, and while your daughter has already achieved and seems to be a competent person, the things she will do and the changes you will see will stun you over these next few years. It’s time to pull out the Dr. Seuss “Oh The Places You’ll Go” and have a good cry…

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  7. Missing them is the hardest part about being an empty nester. I am loving it and hope you will be able to enjoy it too after a while. The last summer at home is also tough but my son and I made so many wonderful memories during that summer just like we did with my daughter a few years before. The college experience is also fun for Moms and Dads. Just know that it feels sad to begin with but gets better as time goes on. Wishing you the best ❤

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    1. Thank you! I’m excited and scared and the whole range of emotions! Part of me is looking forward to putting an exercise bike in her room, but it’s just weird!

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      1. Oh yes! It will feel very weird for a little while but then after that it gets better. We call ours…our 3rd Act ☀️💕☀️

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  8. Sounds sad, yet something to be celebrated…. when I was that age, I didn’t pause to consider what I’d be leaving behind, or how much life would change for the ones I’d be leaving behind because in my mind I was just taking a step forward and would always be coming back. Strange that when I think of it in terms of my kids – still young for college – I don’t see it the same way.
    Good luck and if anything, DC isn’t that far from NY… not like an ocean away – which was what I did.

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    1. My daughter said it’s starting to hit her because one of her friends is spending the summer with his dad in Boston, and then going straight to college, so tomorrow is the last day. It’s weird feeling!

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  9. Enjoy her while she’s home. You may even want to go talk to a female therapist the first month or two that she’s away at school. Empty Nest Syndrome is real. I spoke to a woman when my 2nd son went to college. It helped. I wish I had done it when the first one left. I cried for months when the first one left.. 16 later my second child went away to school.it hit me hard because my whole world changed. The oldest son married, the youngest left for college. I felt like I needed to redefine my purpose in life. And I missed my daily mom routine. It’s especially challenging when there’s no other kids left at home. It gets easier,but it does take getting used to. What you are feeling is normal.It is a temporary melancholy pain in your heart. But the ache is indeed real. Sending hugs your way.

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  10. Enjoy your summer with her! Don’t think too about the fall. Just enjoy the days and moments as they come. My DD flew the nest very unexpectedly, about 3 weeks notice! I wish I had focused more on the right here right now. I for those 3 weeks and oh, how wonderful, though bittersweet, they were. (((HUGS)))

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  14. Mmmmm Pesto! I was chatting with a friend about the empty nest last night. She has 3 children. Two of them were married within 6 weeks of each other and obviously moved out. Her third moved to an apartment in the same time period.
    She worries ahead of time that it would be lonely/too quiet/awful. Last night she said she likes her new situation and the quiet of coming home and being able to relax. She works long hours and has a busy social schedule, so she’s really not home that much. Enjoy the summer and don’t worry about the fall. 😊

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  15. Another milestone has been accomplished. People celebrate the children but often, the parenting gets overlooked. You need time to adjust to the new normal, and you will.

    I get this “coming down” feeling. Lucky it’s patio season. 🙂

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  16. I know all too well what you’re experiencing now. Our daughter announced she was moving from Missouri to Florida to pursue her dream as a golf instructor. No other plan, no prospects before she left, no Plan B. Between graduation and moving, she was an adult living under our roof….yet still our baby. It’s a hard life stage to be in for a Mama. I empathize but think she will be okay based on what you’ve written about her.

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  18. Enjoy the summer with your daughter. I went to the same experience when my youngest left for college. I felt lonely, however I began to spend more time with my hubby and we both realized it was our time. A few years later now my home it’s again with laughter all my three children are parents and be a grandma it’s amazing. It’s part of life.

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  19. I’ll admit it..last night I watched part of a show on cable called “Smothered”..featuring too embarrassing to be true examples of moms who cannot let go with daughters who seem to be fine with the unhealthy relationships. Watch just one episode and you will be encouraged that this hard thing..this letting go thing..is a good thing..a very good and healthy thing.

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      1. It was ugh..for real..I mean next level icky and frankly manipulative. Not gonna lie, kids leaving home is tough..toughest was my first because of the whole empty bedroom thing..very weird..the last one was also tough..just made me feel old..but after 4 kids..I AM OLD!

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  21. Wow! Congratulations––I am so happy for her and I really hear you with feeling drained.

    Gosh, I’m sorry that I haven’t visited. So I don’t even know where she is going…. Will have a look now.

    Blessings to you both. Take good care of yourself.
    Blessings,
    Debbie

    ps – I almost rented a place in Battery Park City. It’s developed by leaps and bounds!

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      1. Oh my God!! That’s wonderful – what a GREAT school. I bet she (and you) are excited. I went to Johns Hopkins for undergrad, and that whole area is fantastic for college students. So many resources, opportunities, etc. Congrats again!

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      2. She almost went to Hopkins! It was a very tough call…it was between those two schools! She wants to be a lawyer and she thought gu was just a little better for That!

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      3. Oh no kidding! Wow. Yes, I would agree with her. And, I believe she can take a few classes at Hopkins if she wanted to. Anyway, again so excited for her!!

        Blessings to you both.
        Debbie

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  23. (((Hugs))) Sounds like many transitions in your family’s lives. I can imagine how tough it is to know you’ll be an empty-nester soon. But your daughter will keep in touch and visit you, stay a few nights with you, spend time with you, I am sure. I know it’s not the same, though. As another person said, cherish the time together. Your post really does remind me how quickly time goes by and the kids grow up and go out on their own. I need to cherish my time with my boys, too.

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  27. Enjoy this time and don’t worry about not being able to sleep my kids are in their 30’s and they know that if they are staying with us I can’t sleep until I know they are safe under our roof. You never stop being a parent, don’t try.

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