Comments for Cindy La Ferle's Home Office

Comment on Parenting advice by cindy

cindy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:28:55 +0000

Reading this, I realized that I had my empty nest experience early because of a nasty divorce. I still had my children, some of the time, but that first few months of not having them under my roof every single night was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through.

Comment on Parenting advice by Joanna Jenkins

Joanna Jenkins — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:06:51 +0000

Hi Cindy, No kids here but I will pass this advice onto my sisters who are struggling with their empty nests.

And, I just found the current issue of “Victoria” magazine with your wonderful article! CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done. It’s a terrific full page article (!) that hit home for this 50-something in need of a change and who’s back yard is being torn apart as I type. Maybe a new garden is in my future too. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hope your week is going well.
jj

Comment on Parenting advice by Cindy La Ferle

Cindy La Ferle — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:24:55 +0000

Jennifer, I wish you could see me smiling as I type this …
I don’t think you’re a bad parent at all — you’re a very good one! During my early parenting years, I recall moments of frustration and fantasies of wishing I could find that proverbial room of my own … somewhere far away Like I said, “maternal amnesia” eventually takes over and we recall mostly the happy, fulfilling times of motherhood. And there are many more of those to come for you!

Comment on Parenting advice by Jennifer Margulis

Jennifer Margulis — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:44:57 +0000

My children are still so little (the youngest is 4 months old) but I know I’ll be experiencing the roller coaster of emotions you describe here when they are ready to fly the coop. That said, I sometimes fantasize about sending the oldest to boarding school. Just being honest… Hope you don’t think I’m a bad parent…

Comment on Parenting advice by Cindy La Ferle

Cindy La Ferle — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:13:08 +0000

I appreciate reading about other empty nest experiences. Angie, I know you’re fully enjoying your time with your kids — and you know their childhoods will fly quickly. It’s a cliche, but it’s true.

Jan, I agree that our transitions hit us at different times, for different reasons. I’m sure you’re not alone when you note that the empty nest didn’t seem so “empty” until later.

I truly enjoyed having kids around (my sons friends included), yet I was still surprised at how much I missed the noise and the activity around the house after they all left for college. In retrospect, I realize too that my career as a “work at home mom” included writing a weekly column (as well as magazine articles) on home and family topics. In other words, writing about parenting, generally and personally, was tightly woven together with my role as a mother. That changed, too, as my son matured and left home.

Comment on Parenting advice by Jan

Jan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:25:38 +0000

Cindy,
My own empty nest “syndrome” was a bit different. The first year my last child was out and off to college I felt such intense freedom and joy, I just can’t tell you! Then, one year later it hit and I began to feel quite melancholy at times they she wasn’t around. (Though I did love the clean bedroom!) I agree that allowing others to leave is a process of getting ready and letting go. And our journey of letting go with gentleness-to-self is gradual too. Thanks for this lovely reminder…

Comment on Parenting advice by Angie Muresan

Angie Muresan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:04:15 +0000

There’s a lot I can learn from this post, Cindy. Yet thank God that my kids will be home a while longer. I’m not ready to teach them to leave the nest.

Comment on Parenting advice by Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:04:18 +0000

Cindy,

I enjoyed this piece when it was in the Metro Parent magazine. However, today while rereading it gave me a pause… I just signed up for something new and had an exciting art adventure yesterday. Thanks for the encouragement!

Comment on Begin by Bridgette

Bridgette — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:08:27 +0000

I no longer fear failure, I just lack the energy:(

Comment on Begin by Brenda @ It's A Beautiful Life

Brenda @ It's A Beautiful Life — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:53:51 +0000

Hi Cindy, I just finished reading your article in the most recent issue of Victoria. And I enjoyed it so much I thought I’d see if you were on-line so I could tell you. And here you are!

(Aren’t blogs wonderful?)

I look forward to browsing through more of your postings.

Wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places!