Get healthy
Take advantage of your new freedom and use the
time to get fit mentally, physically, spiritually and
Support for couples
at every stage of Top Tips
their relationship
For Marriage
emotionally. It might be watching a funny movie
to make you laugh or reading to keep you mentally
fit. Joining a walking club, jogging, exercise or dance
classes will keep you physically fit. Set yourself the
challenge of working to improve one area at a time
until your life is balanced in all these areas.
The Empty Nest
Create happy connections For more information and tips
Your children may have left home, but you can still on family life visit cff.org.uk
have a close relationship. Stay in touch through visits,
You might like to:
phone calls, emails, texts or social media. Before
they go, chat through expectations on both sides. Read The Sixty Minute Marriage
You don’t want them to feel smothered or have their by Rob Parsons cff.org.uk/shop
freedom stifled. Remember that they’ll be busy and Listen to our regular
that they’ll be spending time making new friends. Marriage Challenge Podcast
cff.org.uk/marriagechallenge
They may not be in touch as often as you’d like, but
that doesn’t mean they don’t care. Visit the Marriage section of our website
cff.org.uk/marriagesupport
Care for the Family seeks to promote strong family
relationships and help those who face family difficulties.
cff.org.uk
029 2081 0800
[email protected]
TTLFTEN03
Care for the Family – A Christian response to a world of need. A registered
charity (England and Wales: 1066905; Scotland: SC038497).
When we start out as parents, life feel. If you feel overwhelming sadness that persists,
seek professional help.
Menu makeover
is so busy and full that most of Having spent years cooking family meals and battling
us never think much about what Relax and reflect with your kids to get them to eat their broccoli, why
not start a new tradition with your spouse or your
it will be like when our children No overflowing laundry basket or daily runs to fill friends and have fun experimenting with new cuisine
become adults. But before you the fridge, so what to do? Don’t rush into too many and recipes to suit the adults? Have a regular ‘Come
things too soon. Give yourself space to enjoy this
know it, that day arrives and dine with me’ night or something else that doesn’t
time, to relax, and to adjust to your new life post- feel like a chore and will help you relax and have fun.
your little ones have grown and active parenting. Take time to reflect on the past and
flown, leaving you with an empty consider how you will renegotiate your relationship
with your now-adult child. You will always be their
nest. It can be a defining moment
parent, but your role is different now. You get to
in your life. You can’t stop it or cheer them on from the side-lines rather than being
ignore it, but if you embrace it their 24/7 coach.
and plan ahead, it can mark a Think about you!
new season of fulfilment, joy and
When you’re ready, start to think about
opportunity, to be anticipated you! Perhaps try something new: a hobby,
with excitement rather than job, course or club. Picture the future as an
dread. Here are a few tips to help open door of opportunity, not something
to dread. Your children will see you living
you prepare for your empty nest. life to the full, and this will reassure them
that they don’t need to worry about you.
Before they go, let them
grow Refresh your space
Your job is to help your children become independent After years of noisy family activity, the silence can
young adults who can launch into the world without be deafening. Turning on your favourite music can fill
you continually by their side. Don’t leave this to the that empty space, lift your spirits and create a new
last minute. Let them go a little at a time, teaching uplifting atmosphere. A simple makeover, like a new
them independence and responsibility. When they set of cushions or fresh towels for the bathroom,
finally leave, you can watch them fly knowing you have can help reclaim the space and make you feel good
prepared them well! about coming home.
Expect to be emotional Revive relationships
As your children prepare to leave and for a while after, Rekindle passion for your spouse or partner with
you will feel a range of emotions (and so will they). You regular date nights. If you have been parenting
might experience relief, sorrow, joy and guilt all within a alone, now you have time and space to invest
day! That is normal and time will settle your emotions. in friendships old and new and to enjoy the
It might help to talk to others or write down how you company of others outside your home.
