The Empty Nest Boomerang Period
Jul 02, 2024 by Anthony Damaschino
My wife and I have been eagerly anticipating the day when our two daughters will graduate college and embark on their professional journeys. June finally arrived; one graduated with a BS degree, and one earned her Master's. The 529 account is empty, and we launched three children out of college. With both of these graduations, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride, accomplishment, and excitement. As empty nesters, my wife and I have been actively embracing our empty-nest lifestyle and excellently prioritizing fun. But as we expected, our three years of an empty nest household was going to go on pause. Our youngest daughter, who was out of state, decided to return home. I call this the Empty Nest Boomerang Period.
Many parents find themselves in this situation. Living independently right after college is expensive, and employment, roommates, and money are needed to make up the entire lineup. We knew that she would return home and work hard to save up and build her financial foundation before taking the next big leap. I am excited to support her during this time, and it’s been enjoyable having her back in the house. She’s even joked, “Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t cramp your Empty Nest Brand. I’ll only be here for about six months.”
Of course, we welcome her and any of our children back home with open arms. This is easy to do when you know your children are eager to gain independence and live independently. It would be a different situation if I had a child or children who planned to stay indefinitely. Boundaries, conversations, and expectations need to be made for those parents, similar to the conversations I suggest in my two books.
As for my empty nest paused status, a part of me still cherishes the quiet moments and ability to walk around in my boxer shorts, but at the same time, I also love having my daughter in our house. It’s a delicate balance.
They say with age comes wisdom, and I believe the key to being happy is to embrace each phase of life as it comes. Enjoy the quiet when it’s here, and savor the noise and energy when the house is whole again. I am sure there will be a day when she leaves, and the emotions and reflection on becoming an empty nester will happen again. Luckily, I know an excellent book that can help me with that.
