Empty Nest Syndrome ..especially Abroad?

I still have some years to reach there, as my younger one is only 11 yrs old. But, I am already thinking about this.

It is important to find happiness from within. If you are not yet at that, it is high time to start discovering your self and do something that you love Engage in me-time, self love activities, and finding a new hobby or new way of living life to the fullest is better.

Your kids may leave the nest soon, but your spouse will stay with you. So, plan something with your spouse, or even better if you could start something with him now and expand it further when kids are gone.

I have two plans:

1- To retire in Sri Lanka, and start living in our own home. Therefore, renovate the home as per our own demand, comfort and happiness. The home has 3 floors and many rooms. Ideally my kids, my siblings, nieces and nephews can come, stay and spend quality time with us whenever they feel like visiting us. The home will be refurbished like a holiday home with a swimming pool, BBQ space, nice garden, gym/yoga spots and home theatre to cater everyone's needs. But primarily these are my interests too.

2. To enter social activism, leading to politics. With the political reform in Sri Lanka, I have been invited to enter politics, but I am not ready yet. I am already an activist, but at a smaller level. When I have the time in hand, I will pursue this to the fullest and share my wisdom, experience and expertise with a wider group of people in a positive manner. This is subject to my health, the political scenario at that given time etc. But, if not for politics, I would still be doing something for people after 60 as an activist anyway.

3. I will offer to support my children with their children whenever they need a helping hand. But the role would be clearly as support and not as a primary care-giver. I will help my kids to transition from their care-free role to a family role if and when they chose to make a family. This would be huge if they chose a demanding career like me.

 

In USA, I have seen similar empty nester parents meeting in weekends. Having potluck.
Men are still working.
Women find it more difficult. Some take up part time jobs, volunteering.
A known Indian Acquaintance of mine joined in cafeteria helper job in school.
She seems to be happier as she is in touch with kids in school.

I will never get the option of being an Empty Nester as being a parent of an SN adult. She is going to turn 20 this November. Wow Time flies fast.
Maybe it's a Blessing in Disguise

 

Even with kids being at home, I feel life in US is so lonely for many reasons, some of which you have stated. Missing friends groups, unable to visit a temple regularly due to distance, bored of movies and eating out, no time for hobby class. I feel that folks in India have a better quality of life than us in USA socially and in terms of not being lonely. Every evening you just go out of your building there's so much activity that you take a stroll through it all and you feel refreshed.

But as you grow older, US is the best place to be because the elderly have no respect in India. They are not valued unlike here in the US

 

my dd has moved to college. things are different. it makes me sad daily when i make food and buy dress . other than i have friends and mum to talk to .

but it has affected my dh quite deeply. he seems to lost a purpose . he was helping her daily with school, drop pick. follow on work , out of school activities. now he is quite over focused on son . also taking lot of work at office. he is trying to pick another job in remote. he was always more focused on kids and this change has bothered him.

 

I am not sure. but again these are perspective opinions. I have noticed people who have always derived happiness or content in doing service go through such phase. they have hard time in doing something or finding something for themselves alone.