Help,
I am new to the program and I am excited about it as I have been on paxil and klonopin for 12 years for anxiety. I am ready to dump the drugs. I have dealt with anxiety but I am now dealing with depression for the first time. I think it is due to the empty nest because my kids have always been my life...my dreams...my all. I am having a hard time finding the joy in things for me and do not like the quiet house. Any suggestions out there? Thank you. Blessings, Tammy Chumard

Tammy,
Empty nest syndrome is rough! Ive been through it myself... Are you married? If you are,,its a great time to renew your relationship with your husband... If not, maybe volunteering somewhere, or working would help you alot. Help you move toward something you might of wanted to do before you had children.
Try a new Hobby, or maybe join a church group, make some new friends in your age, and start doing things together,, Anything to keep your mind busy!!! Take care Nelly

Hi Tammy. I guess all mothers feel the way you do. Most of our time and energy for most of our adult life has been all about them. Suddenly you are a single person again and where do start this new life? How do you navigate a new type of relationship with your adult children? Now how do we relate to our husbands? I realize my children need space from me to grow and develope into there own reality. There was grief involved for me and a longing in my heart for the children they used to be. I have adjusted to it more now after some years and am finally thinking about myself first. It's a new concept for me and these tapes are helping me to be more assertive that I too need a life as my children do . It is a new beginning even if we want it to be or not and we must make the best of it. Try new things. Take some chances. RE-develope long lost passions from your youth. Take time to be silly. Take time to rest. Join a gym and seek out others. You have many possibilities ahead of you. Be gentle with your self. Develope a new relationship with your husband. Know that this very important job you have had is now in a new phase and enjoy your new life.

Hi Tammy,

I can totally relate with the empty nest as well. I'm feeling it too. I had my kids very young and while there were some benefits to that, I too find it hard. I was a single mom so...they were my life. I was always so busy. Now, things are dead. You could hear a pin drop in the house! This may not work for everyone but .. I've decided to get myself a little puppy. It'll be a little tough but, I so love animals and have always had one. I know it will also mean time and work but I also know it will feel wonderful to have one.

While my anxiety is at an all time low....I'm feeling depressed these days as well. I'm no longer on antidepressants which I was for years, so I believe I am now feeling sadness which I've not allowed myself to feel for ages. I'm certainly hoping to come out on the other side.

Best of luck to both of us and we walk through this stage. I'm told they are some of the best years of life. I'm banking that that is true! LOL

I know how you feel. I was a single parent for 15 years. Me and my two boys did everything togather 24-7. They were all I had, and pretty much my only frinds. Because the whole time I was afraid I was doing a bad job as a parent, I shut out the world, and put everything I had into it. They have recently both gone out on there own, and I am lost, with very few friends, and no social skills. I have been on antidepressants for many years. I have only been on this program for a short time, but I do believe it is the answer. Hang in there.

Hello Tammy,
I suffered with empty nest syndrome for several years. We got a dog, then three more found us. They give us so much joy. It is a commitment but a beneficial one...and they are such good company. We have good relationships with our five grown daughters and our grand children but they all have their own lives. Our dogs are here 24 hrs. a day. I still get to exercise my "mothering" tendencies with them in a healthy way. If you are an animal lover I suggest that you give a homeless animal a loving home.

Too funny you mention that...I just myself a little puppy this week, and I am SO Delighted!!
What a total bundle of joy to come home too and I di't have to worry about braces, and dating LOL!!! :-)

Oh yes Serenity and others!! The animals REALLY DO help with the empty nest syndrome thing. I began going through this empty nest thing, not with my own children, but with my grandchildren instead. Boy is it bad. It just keeps getting worse too. It's a very long story but long story short; all three of my kids went to college and lived around us so none of that was too bad. But my oldest daughter had two children and two very bad marriages so we helped her out alot. They lived just around the corner from us so we practically raised the kids. Then almost 2 yrs ago now she moved up to Wa state with my other daughter and her family. Now neither of them speak to us,(the daughters I mean) they don't allow me to call them or talk to either of them either. (yup, we're still wondering why things got worse instead of better once she got back out on her own with the kids) We just don't know why they kept getting further and further apart but neither daughter speaks to us or wants to hear from us either. The kids I can only get ahold of once in awhile and that is what hurts the most. I miss my grandbabies. Not alot I can do about what the girls are mad at if they will not even bother to communicate.It's like they do not even realize what this must be doing to all the kids.
Anyway!! Glad you got the puppy. Sometimes I just hold onto mine and cry but then most of the time he keeps me entertained!! What did you name him? What kind of pup?? (Doesn't matter, they're all cute, huh?) Have fun!

I am a single mother ,my daughter is my life. I am not at the Empty nest just yet as she is just 11 but I have started to feel a void and haev been wondering how people deal with it.She is at the age where she is independant, she wants to be with her friends, no hugs or kisses in public and its killing me inside. I have friends, I do go out from time to time ( often feel guilty for leaving her home) but I am looking to prepare myself for when she does leave the nest , I am hoping this program gives me the tools I need to handle it without a meltdown. I am thinking about getting a Puppy myself!

Hi AnxiousAnnie,
Such a sad story. My sister went through something very similar, almost KILLED Her. It was BRUTAL to watch. I HOPE so much that they heal what needs healing as life is so short and kids NEED grandparents. Grandparents are often the ones who know what is important in life. Mom's and dad's are often too busy making rules, discipling etc. Grandparents take the time to smell the roses. Or at least, that is how I feel about having grandkids. It would break my heart if that happened to me.

As for my puppy, I had two HUGE dogs die on me in the past year. They were wonderful but there shedding coats were very hard on my breathing and of course, very messy. They were so heavy too it was difficult for me to walk them etc as one was deaf and the other did what the deaf what did. This time, I got myself a small mini-schnauzer. She's beautiful, hypoallergenic, and will stay small enough for me to care for her easily. She is an angel. And .. her name is Echo. After Echo of Narcisist. Not sure if you know about that. Anyhow, suits her to a T. :-)

Hugs,
Danielle