Summary
A Gen X mom, Carole Jones, shared her emotional experience on Instagram about becoming an "empty nester" after her fifth child left for college. She describes the quiet of her now mostly empty home as a surprising and painful shift from her once busy household. Despite the sadness, Jones is finding ways to adapt and even enjoy some new freedoms.
Key Facts
- Carole Jones is a mother of six and posted a video about her feelings of emptiness after her children left home.
- She has children aged 30, 28, 25, 21, 18, and the youngest, 15, who is the only one still at home.
- An empty nester is a term for parents whose children have moved out, creating a quieter home environment.
- In 2022, there were approximately 20.9 million empty-nest households in the U.S.
- Jones likens the transition to a process of grief, saying the quiet is a permanent change.
- To cope, she spends time with her youngest child, her husband, her elderly parents, and her two grandchildren.
- Positive psychology coach Rhian Lindley notes that this life change can cause feelings of grief but also offers a chance for growth.
- Jones's Instagram video has been viewed over a million times, resonating with many parents.
