Adventures · Emptying the nest

The pedals of joy in empty-nest parenting

Shelley

I’ve been reflective all week, especially about my role in empty nest parenting.  I’ve wondered if I’ll ever get used to our kids not being around.  Or will I always miss their younger days when I’d see them every morning, afternoon, and evening?  Even if I remind myself it wasn’t our goal in parenting to keep them little forever, it still tugs at my heart to see how the clock keeps ticking their time under our roof away.

My children are the reason I laugh, smile and want to get up every morning. – Gena Lee Nolin

We knew they would eventually grow up, and move away, and build their own lives.  We want them to always feel comfortable in the home they grew up in, to visit the driveway they learned to ride their bikes on, and to walk around the yard they played in.  Our home will always be their home base.

A place to come back to.

Our driveway has been the same their whole lives.  The end of it marked where they had to turn their bicycles around and come back for safety.  That same end mark is now where they enter to visit us and leave back through to go to their own homes.

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When I saw Cee’s challenge this week was for bikes, I was tempted to re-do this past January’s post in black and white.  But I stopped myself when I remembered I have a few older pictures from 2002 of bicycles and our kids.

January 2002…sixteen years ago.  Wow!

Childhood is a short season. – Helen Hayes

It seems like just yesterday.  Where did the time go?  When did they grow up?  How did I let that time slip away so fast?

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Our daughters put so many miles on their little bikes, riding up and down the driveway.  That January, in 2002, it was warm, and they were so excited to strip off their snow clothing, to grab their bikes, and to ride up and down the driveway.  They always stopped before the end to turn around.  They smiled all the way back to us – every trip.

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The unconditional love for your child, it’s truly amazing. – Jourdan Dunn

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There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children.  One of these is roots, the other, wings. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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As parents, we created moments of joy, freedom, and adventure in our yard for our kids.  They taught me that it is okay to put on boots, walk through puddles, and smile every chance you get.

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I need to remind myself we did our best to give them foundations so they could build lives of their own.  They are ready, even if we aren’t.  We’ll catch up to them in this new phase of our lives.  Just like we did when they would provoke us to chase them around the yard when they were little.

Listen to the desires of your children.  Encourage them and then give them the autonomy to make their own decision.  – Denis Waitley

There is so much joy in raising kids.  Every smile wrinkle I have on my face was made watching them grow.  We shall keep on moving forward.

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I know my heart is full of memories of their youth, but it also has room for new memories.  It is fun to see them continue to grow and to discover how they create moments of joy, freedom, and adventure wherever they live their lives.  They’ll always be welcome home.

Post inspiration by Cee’s Black and White:  Bikes of any kind

Published by Shelley

Letting my quirk out one post at a time.

30 thoughts on “The pedals of joy in empty-nest parenting”

  2. Very nice heart touching blog. Few lines :-
    Their birth made us happy , were groomed in our presence ,
    one thing that disturbs me is only their absence.
    But , here comes a thought with freshness in mind ,
    Ours is like a usual circle of human kind.
    Like birds , our homes are nests ,
    Our kids leave those to take life’s tests.
    It’s satisfying , they used to come home ,
    Whether they live in Italy or in Rome.

  3. What a beautiful post, Shelley, you’ve made me cry, which isn’t hard these days as it happens every time I even start to think about my kids leaving. My daughter’s 12, I only have a few years left with her, and it breaks my heart even though I can’t wait to see who she becomes and what she does!

    1. Aw, thank you, sorry to make you cry (frankly, I did writing it too). They grow up so fast, treasure every moment. I wish you and your family well on the beautiful journey you’ll share together.

  4. Wow SHelley, this is such a different post than usual. Beautiful just the same, love the photos of your kids on bikes and the bike signs in the window. Your home is amazing inside and out.

    1. Aw, thank you! It’s fun to look back and to look forward. I appreciate your continued support and kind words, you’re so sweet!

  5. Shelley, Your thoughts and photos on this subject are so moving, especially to one whose parenting was so lacking it drove a wedge between 2 sisters who to this day try, but too often fail, to repair the damage. The photos show how successful you and your husband have been. Are there any grand-kiddies in your lives yet?

    1. Aw, thank you, Ellen, you’re words are so moving. I’m sorry to read of your struggles with family. No…we’re okay with waiting for grand-kiddies for now, we’re blessed with two grand-kittens though, they bring us lots of joy, too!

  6. So relate to this post. I have photos of myself riding with my grandsons when they were little. What fun we had. Where has the time gone!

    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! You’re lucky to have those photos to treasure and remind you of the fun you had. All I know is, time sure goes fast, especially when you look back to see how far you’ve come!

  7. You say “How did I let that time slip away so fast?”
    I guess most of us ask that question, as if we could change the unbending rules of time. The best we can hope for is to keep the good memories intact, and this lovely post shows that you have done that.
    I’m sure you still have many more happy memories to make.

    1. You’re so right, we have no way to bend the rules of time! Thank you, I appreciate hearing your thoughts and you taking the time to read my post!

        1. You’re welcome! Love your blog post about the deals at Toys R Us! Enjoy the shared smiles you’ll all have while playing with the toys!!

  12. Great post, Shelley! Thanks so much for sharing this. I can’t wait to share with a few of my friends who will really appreciate this.

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