It’s the time most parents dread and look forward to in equal measures, your children flying the nest. Whether they’re heading off to university, moving in with their partner or just wanting to be more independent, the time comes in most parents lives where they must relinquish some responsibility over their children and let them make their own way in life. So how do you deal with empty nest syndrome? How do you fill the hole that’s left after your children leave? Rather than seeing your kids leaving as having a negative impact on your life, it opens so many doors for you to experience things which you have yet to do due to the financial cost of bringing up your children.
So now it’s your time to review your savings goals and objectives and start enjoying yourself! We have put together a recovery plan of what to do when your kids fly the nest.
Change the children’s bedroom to an office or hobby room
Now that the kids have left home you probably have a spare room or two available. Why not get creative and redecorate any new spare rooms into an office or hobby room. Pick up some interior design magazines to get your creative juices flowing and create a special place just for you.
Once you have started on your spare room you may get the renovation bug and decide to redecorate your whole home to suit you – take inspiration from the top interior designers to make it a home for the future. Remember, now your children have left home you do not have to accommodate their design and layout preferences, the choice is entirely yours. You could even add a conservatory – perfect for the grandchildren when they visit and want an area to play, and if you are a green fingered person you may want to install a Victorian style greenhouse.
Travelling – They say the best time to go backpacking is straight out of university during a gap year. But if you missed out on travelling the world while you were younger now might be the perfect time. There are also agencies such as Projects Abroad who place people who wish to work abroad for charitable causes such as working on conservation projects or working within the education sector in countries such as Ethiopia, Argentina and Fiji. You pay the company to organise your accommodation, food and health insurance. For just a few thousand pounds you could spend up to 12 weeks working on one of these projects. Volunteering abroad is worth saving those extra pennies for and gives you priceless memories and fulfilment in return.
Reconnect with a partner by enjoying the finer things in life together. Have a few mini breaks throughout the year such as visiting the most romantic city in the world, Paris, or a spa weekend. This quality time together will help you both reconnect all over again.
Dream holiday - With that spare time, and cash not spent on the kids why not fulfil your dream of flying first class to Australia or go on a luxury trip on the Orient Express. It’s a once in a lifetime experience you certainly won’t forget and something to tell the grandchildren.
Sporting events –You could be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous across the court at Wimbledon. The world-class sporting event is sure to be a day to remember particularly if you bag tickets to Finals Day! If you are not a tennis fan why not attend Royal Ascot for a chance to bet on some horses and get glammed up for the occasion.
Why don’t you take time to write a bucket list of things you have put off while the kids were growing up? Treat yourself to a night at the opera or go to Glyndebourne. Maybe it has always been your dream to see the Rolling Stones live in concert, or even go to a festival (Glastonbury isn’t just for the young you know).
There’s a whole host of opportunities available to you when the time comes for your children to leave home. So, evaluate your savings and see where it could take you! Enjoy yourselves before they come back to bank of mum and dad for that house deposit!