The unexpected benefits that can come with being an empty nester revealed

It’s a significant milestone when your adult children pack up and move out of the family home. While this momentous occassion can trigger a surge of pride it can also stir a complex mix of emotions.

The sudden absence of daily interactions with your children, after years of sharing a home, can evoke a deep sense of loss and disrupt the familiar routines that once defined your everyday life as you transition into the role of an empty nester.

Despite the mixed emotions, a recent report from Australian Seniors has found that older Australians are utilising their newfound freedom to reignite the spark in their relationships while others are using their free time to embrace new hobbies.

The Empty Nesters Report 2024 found that 70 per cent of those surveyed were enjoying the extra time that comes with their children living out of home. The survey also offered the following insights:

• Over 2 in 5 (41 per cent) were spending more time with their partners.
• Over a third (35 per cent) were using their newfound freedom to take up new hobbies or interests.
• Close to one in five (18 per cent) couples had experienced an improvement in their relationship after the kids moved out.

Among the more than 1,200 seniors surveyed, it was also discovered that there were a number of financial benefits that come with being an empty nester:

• 64 per cent noticed financial improvements.
• Over 51 per cent felt less guilty about spending money on themselves.

While there are a number of benefits that can come with the kids flying the coop, the major milestone can also come with some downsides:

• 65 per cent of empty nester missed their kids after they moved out.
• 61 per cent experienced less contact with their children.
• 56 per cent worried more about their kids out there in the world.
• Additionally, 51 per cent of current empty nesters and 65 per cent of former empty nesters wished their kids had stayed at home longer.

Clinical Psychologist and CEO of Relationships Australia NSW, Elisabeth Shaw stressed that this stage in life can bring “about mixed feelings and will take time to adjust”.

“Initially many grieve the loss, and fear the relationship could flounder,” Shaw said.

“Quite a few factors will influence the success of this transition. Whether the move is for positive reasons, the relationships are on good terms, and there is a good connection that offers reassurance that contact will be maintained, will all help ease worry and sadness.”

Although becoming an empty nester can be a journey of mixed emotions, the recent findings show that it can also come with many unexpected and pleasant surprises.

With the newfound freedom, you can pursue hobbies, spoil yourself, and spend quality time with your partner. It can also be a time to strengthen relationships with grown children, as they embark on their own journeys in life.

Ultimately, the empty nest experience is a chance to embrace new beginnings and create memories that will last a lifetime.