Good news! “Research shows that marital happiness reaches one of its highest peaks during the period after offspring have moved out of the family home.” I read this in the article New Love: A Short Shelf Life.

Thank God because my son is already a sophomore in college and my daughter is a senior in high school anxiously waiting to hear from the college of her choice. Wise beyond her years, my daughter is funny, a great shopping companion and all around co-conspirator. Watching America’s Next Top Model just won’t be the same without her. 🙁

Thoughts About The Empty Nest

I often wonder what life will be like for my husband and me in our empty nest next year. I know there will be sadness because we like our kids and will miss them. But, they are both healthy, happy kids, doing what they want to do, so we are blessed. And since my husband and I not only love each other, but actually like each other, I think we have a good shot at being one of those couples that experiences a rekindling of marital happiness.

To ease the transition, my friend, had a brilliant idea.

She suggested I should plan a romantic trip after dropping the kids off at college next September.

What a concept! To press the pause button before returning to our busy lives where it could be so easy to bury the pain of being without the kids in silence, to lose track of *us*, of our marriage. A Romantic Trip doesn’t have to mean a week long Caribbean cruise or a fancy suite at the Ritz Carlton or even lots of hot, sweaty, monkey sex. All of that would be nice but I’m thinking more in terms of anywhere that will allow my husband and I to enjoy us, who we are, what our marriage is, what we’ve managed to accomplish and what we still aspire to do. It should be light-hearted and fun! To reconnect as individuals for a moment (not as Mom and Dad) and maybe have a little monkey sex, too.

All empty-nesters should do this. We could create a new tradition! It will be a honeymoon for Phase Three of our life together!

I only hope I can afford it after paying tuition! 🙂

Do you have empty nest experience? Please share your wisdom with us in the comments!

‘Love’ photo courtesy of wolfsoul via Flickr

Elvira G. Aletta, PhD, Founder & CEO

Executive & Personal Coaching, 

Individual & Relationship Counseling

Life gave Dr. Aletta the opportunity to know what it’s like to hurt physically and emotionally. After an episode of serious depression in her mid-twenties, Dr. Aletta was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease that relapsed throughout her adulthood. While treatable, the cure was often as hard to bear as the disease. Later she was diagnosed with scleroderma, another chronic illness.

Throughout, Dr. Aletta battled with anxiety. Despite all this, Dr. Aletta wants you to know, you can learn to engage in life again on your terms.

Good therapy helped Dr. Aletta. She knows good therapy can help you. That’s why she created Explore What’s Next.

Today Dr. Aletta enjoys mentoring the EWN therapists, focusing on coaching and psychotherapy clients, writing and speaking. She is proud and confident that Explore What’s Next can provide you with therapists who will help you regain a sense of safety, control and joy.

716.634.2600 | draletta@explorewhatsnext.com