Get the appLaunching Your Kids Into AdulthoodSample
FACING THE EMPTY NEST
According to an ancient legend, if all the ravens in the Tower of London fly away, the Kingdom of England will fall. I’m not so sure the English should fear wayward ravens. But there’s another kind of empty nest, and this one can bring down a marriage.
Life with teenagers can be a whirlwind. There are sports practices, orthodontist appointments, church youth activities … sometimes all in the same day! For many parents, life can begin revolving around their kids, and the marriage gets pushed to the side. Years later when the kids leave home, there’s nothing left to hold the couple’s relationship together, and it crumbles.
Fortunately, you and your spouse can take steps to actively prepare for when it’s just the two of you. First, be intentional about strengthening your communication. Read a book together on relationships. Attend a marriage enrichment event. Or, if you’re feeling particularly disconnected, talk things through with a counselor.
Second, get involved in social activities or hobbies as a couple. Gather with a church fellowship group. Volunteer at local charities. Or take up recreational activities like golf or hiking. Finding common interests can help create new foundations for relating to one another.
Third, and maybe most important of all, pray together. Few things can create emotional intimacy between a couple like hearing one another share their heart openly before the Lord. Prayer unites spouses and strengthens their bond.
The ravens in the Tower of London may be the stuff of legend, but empty nests in our homes are real. Strengthen your marriage now, and those years ahead can be an enriching time of intimacy and connection for you and your spouse.
According to an ancient legend, if all the ravens in the Tower of London fly away, the Kingdom of England will fall. I’m not so sure the English should fear wayward ravens. But there’s another kind of empty nest, and this one can bring down a marriage.
Life with teenagers can be a whirlwind. There are sports practices, orthodontist appointments, church youth activities … sometimes all in the same day! For many parents, life can begin revolving around their kids, and the marriage gets pushed to the side. Years later when the kids leave home, there’s nothing left to hold the couple’s relationship together, and it crumbles.
Fortunately, you and your spouse can take steps to actively prepare for when it’s just the two of you. First, be intentional about strengthening your communication. Read a book together on relationships. Attend a marriage enrichment event. Or, if you’re feeling particularly disconnected, talk things through with a counselor.
Second, get involved in social activities or hobbies as a couple. Gather with a church fellowship group. Volunteer at local charities. Or take up recreational activities like golf or hiking. Finding common interests can help create new foundations for relating to one another.
Third, and maybe most important of all, pray together. Few things can create emotional intimacy between a couple like hearing one another share their heart openly before the Lord. Prayer unites spouses and strengthens their bond.
The ravens in the Tower of London may be the stuff of legend, but empty nests in our homes are real. Strengthen your marriage now, and those years ahead can be an enriching time of intimacy and connection for you and your spouse.
Scripture
About this Plan
Do parents ever stop being parents? Well, yes and no. You’ll never stop loving your children. But once they’re adults, everything changes. Your influence in their lives, the complexion of your relationship, even the dynamics in your marriage will be impacted by the empty nest. But change doesn’t have to mean chaos. With a little preparation, parents can smooth out the bumps that crop up when kids transition into adulthood.
More
We would like to thank Jim Daly for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.jimdalyblog.com
