Some Mornings Feel Like the Empty Nest Already

Hello, friend!

Every morning, I walk past two empty bedrooms and say a quick prayer for Ellie and William, both away at college. My youngest Leah is still home, but with fourteen-hour days of high school practices and rehearsals, the house gets quiet in ways I didn’t expect.

My husband and I aren’t officially empty nesters yet, but sometimes it feels like it.

What I’ve come to know is the particular tension of holding opposite emotions at the same time. Grief at missing my daily connection with my teens, alongside pride as I watch them live independently. Fear about how they’ll manage their mental health and the everyday tasks of adult life, alongside hope that their support systems will carry them. Joy when they come home for a break and, if I’m honest, some overwhelm when suddenly there’s no car for me to use and the kitchen looks like a train wreck.

And when you add in the nuances of parenting neurodiverse teens - kids who may need more alone time, or more support, or both depending on the day - it gets even more complicated.

If any of that resonates with you, I want you to know you’re not alone.

I’m sharing something today that may not speak to everyone in this community, and that’s okay. But for those of you who are approaching the empty nest season, or already in it, I think you’ll appreciate it.

I’ve teamed up with my friend Linda Hanstra and eleven other writers — people whose newsletters, podcasts, and books help us navigate this parenting stage — to put together something fun.

Big kids. Big transitions. Big emotions. Whether you’re preparing for an empty nest or already in it, you deserve support (and maybe a prize!). Enter to win one of four prizes designed for empty-nesters and parents of older teens and young adults.

🎁 Grand Prize — $300 Amazon Gift Card

📚 Three Runner-Up Prizes — A Next Chapter Book Bundle, including three hand-picked books plus a $30 Amazon Gift Card

1️⃣ Tap this link: Empty Nest Next Chapter Giveaway

2️⃣ Enter your email address

3️⃣ Confirm your entry via the email you’ll receive (check your junk folder if you don’t see it — this step is required!)

Pro tip: After you enter, you can earn bonus entries by following the participating authors. More entries = better odds! 🤞

Some details: The giveaway runs April 7–14, 2026. Winners are randomly selected by KingSumo on April 15 and notified within 48 hours. Open to US residents 18+ with a valid email address. By entering, you agree to be added to the participating authors’ subscriber lists — you can unsubscribe anytime. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by anyone other than the participating authors.

Participating writers: Linda Hanstra, Cindy Ojczyk, Esther Goetz (Moms of Bigs), Joanne McHugh, Mel Greenberg, Morgan Baker, Cara Achterberg, Dr. Allison Alford, Holly B. Gutwillinger, Mandy Horne, Ruthie Gray, and me!

Thanks for participating!

In this almost-empty nest stage, here’s a song that I’ve been listening to endlessly, a remake of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” by JJ Heller.

Grateful for your companionship on the journey,