if you could go back to when they were little, would you do anything differently to prepare for an empty nest?

Yes. I’d spend more time with them, I’d have left their dad and petitioned for supervised only visitation for him requiring therapy for his mental health issues and abusive behavior, and for financial support so I could’ve not stressed so much about finances because as her and I had no support.

I’d have sent her to a better therapist much sooner to deal with her grief over the divorce and to help her process his abuse and my shortcomings. I’d have put myself in therapy sooner to deal with my stuff that was preventing me from being fully present for and with her.

I’d have made her and I regular getaway out of the country - once every 1-2 years somewhere new. I’d have been more present with her and listened more

/r/emptynesters Thread