empty nester
Kids finally left
An empty nester is a parent whose children have grown up and moved out of the family home.
The term evokes a bird's nest after the young have fledged.
It typically describes middle-aged or older adults adjusting to life without dependent children: Now that we're empty nesters, we're thinking of downsizing.
Reducing workforce or scale
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- relocationPermanent change of residence
- life stagePeriod of development
- launchingSetting something in motion
second career · reinvention · new beginnings · estate planning · college · grandchildren · milestone · adjustment
State of lacking companions
- quietLacking in sound
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
pride · relief · grief · adjustment · purpose · fulfillment · reflection · mixed feelings
Extra bedroom for visitors
- guest roomSleeping space for visitors
- home officeResidential work area
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
- declutteringEliminating unnecessary possessions
redecorating · condo · renovation · repurposing · quietness · tidiness · maintenance · yard work
Freedom from external control
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- spontaneityActing without forethought
- travelMovement between locations
- leisureFree time for relaxation
flexibility · adventure · exploration · self-discovery · choices · opportunity · unscheduled · disposable income
Offspring of offspring
- family gatheringsRelatives meeting socially
- visitsSocial calls
- phone callsAuditory telecommunication sessions
- video chatsLive audiovisual conversations online
mentorship · volunteering · community · friendships · reunions · holidays · caregiving · support
downsizing
Reducing workforce or scale
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- relocationPermanent change of residence
- life stagePeriod of development
launching · second career · reinvention · new beginnings · estate planning · college · grandchildren · milestone · adjustment · chapter
loneliness
State of lacking companions
- quietLacking in sound
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
nostalgia · pride · relief · grief · adjustment · purpose · fulfillment · reflection · mixed feelings · letting go
spare room
Extra bedroom for visitors
- guest roomSleeping space for visitors
- home officeResidential work area
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
decluttering · redecorating · condo · renovation · repurposing · quietness · tidiness · maintenance · yard work · gardening
independence
Freedom from external control
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- spontaneityActing without forethought
- travelMovement between locations
leisure · flexibility · adventure · exploration · self-discovery · choices · opportunity · unscheduled · disposable income · hobbies
grandchildren
Offspring of offspring
- family gatheringsRelatives meeting socially
- visitsSocial calls
- phone callsAuditory telecommunication sessions
video chats · mentorship · volunteering · community · friendships · reunions · holidays · caregiving · support
- bird expressionsearly bird, birdbrain, bird brain, lovebirds, jailbird
- agesinfant, child, kid, teen, adult
- BoomersAARP, AARP member, grandparent, grandparents, Beatles
- midlifemidlife crisis, forties, fifties, sandwich generation, gray hair
- Suburbaniteshomeowner, soccer mom, soccer dad, lawn mower, carpooler
- solo livingbachelor, bachelorette, hermit, loner, recluse
empty nesternew parent
Someone with a newborn
new mom · new dad · stay-at-home parent · sandwich generation
empty, nest, nester, emptied, empties, emptying, emptier, emptiest, emptiness