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Raising kids to become responsible adults is every parent’s dream. We hold our breath raising kids, dreading the nightmare of adult kids screwing up and expecting us to bail them out. In the empty nest stage, you can finally exhale knowing your kids have flown the coup and are navigating their flight into adulthood. I know the feeling now that all three of my kids are living on their own. 2016 has been an especially meaningful year for me as an adult dad. I stepped in as a parent in each of their lives in a manner that gave them the support they needed without taking control. Three years ago I wrote a blog When Your Kids Become Adults. It was based on a conversation I had with my youngest son Jordan, who shared his interest in moving to Arizona. In August, my wife and I visited him there and were impressed with how well he is doing staying on course with his plan. In June I had the honor of officiating my son Justin’s wedding. We had some deep conversations on what it means to be an adult man and husband. Just two weeks ago we talked about a turbulent period in his young adult life that was tough on both of us. Tears of forgiveness flowed as two adult men hugged each other while we were hanging out in his backyard. Mid-July I travelled with my daughter Candace and her tribe of five to see her husband who recently returned to the military. It is not easy being a military family. Sacrifices are the norm. I witnessed the strength in their marriage as they support each other in the duties they perform. Candace told me several times what it meant to her to have me travel with them. It’s a week I will treasure forever. My three kids are doing pretty good finding their way into adulthood. It’s not perfect. They face challenges and hardships from time-to-time. But when they do I know my role. Here are three lessons I learned from my adult kids about the empty nest.