My First Taste of an Empty Nest

Sean turned 18 last June and nothing much changed around here.  He’s still finishing up his last courses for high school and still living at home.  He plans to stay at home through two years of Lansing Community College and that’s fine with me.  I’m in no real hurry to boot my young bird out of the nest.

Well, at least most days.

Having an adult child at home is a challenge.  They’re in charge of their own life, but they’re still living by many of your rules.  There are always a few little things that we clash on – like his habit of not putting things away and leaving things where they drop when he comes home.  Since we have a small apartment, this can add up to a colossal mess in no time and I’m not a big fan of clutter. 

He hoards dirty dishes in his room and has twice come out with a laundry basket full of crusty bowls, dishes and glasses.  Gross!  (We had a comin’ to Jesus meeting about that one.)

Aside from his sloppy ways – he’s sometimes short with me.  Left to his own devices he’d play [stupid] video games all day and that’s just not cool with me when he has school work to do.  When I remind [nag] him about school work he isn’t entirely appreciative, you know what I mean?

But – these small irritations are NOTHING compared to what some parents deal with – especially other single moms with sons.  Sean doesn’t drink, do drugs, smoke or gamble and to the best of my knowledge, he hasn’t had any physical relationships with girls.  I’m proud of him :)  His childhood was a childhood and his adolescence was given a full run without any unnecessary fast forwards into adulthood issues.  That’s awesome!

He’s generous and helpful when a need shows itself.  He has give more than the last year of his life over to helping my niece and nephew raise their quadruplets.  (Did I mention that I’m proud of him?)

My Taste of the Empty Nest

So in the middle of the night I drove him down to Detroit to catch a plane to Colorado to visit a buddy.  He’ll be gone for a full seven days – not the first time he’s been away from me for that long – but the first time he’s been gone and not with his father.  He’s all grown up – jet setting around the country visiting his online peeps.  (This is the second time he’s flown to visit friends but last trip was a quick two night visit to Florida.)

As I drove home I decided to make use of passing close by WalMart and picked up my groceries for the week.  Of course I didn’t need nearly as much as usual with no young man to feed.  I enjoyed the lower grocery bill – and the freedom to make choices that pleased only me.

I arrived home, put my stuff away and looked around the apartment.  We cleaned the living room the night before last – and it will actually stay clean all week.  Nice :)

My heart is full – and not just because my home will be tidy for seven days.  I just feel so ready for the next few years of my life.  I’m 42 years old – I have a wonderful business that I love and a lot of freedom to travel and enjoy whatever comes my way.