If your child has recently left the nest and you are feeling a little down, how about a nest makeover?
That “empty nest” feeling can be depressing for parents who have kids going off to school for the first time. Think positive! You can renovate his room and turn it into your own private sanctuary, office or workshop.
By this action, you won’t be kicking them out of their room permanently. But while they are gone, you can free up a lot of space and make better use of it.
First, you should discuss your plans with your children. What items do they want to keep? It would be a good idea to keep their bed for them to use when they are home on weekends and holidays. A chest of drawers will most likely also stay for storing some of their clothes.
What about all the stuff left behind? You might use this time as a sort of spring-cleaning to get rid of meaningless junk that has accumulated in closets or under beds over the last 18 years. After your child has gone over everything donate the rest to charity, if possible.
Now it’s time to re-nest! You deserve to make a room of your own. You can put a sewing table in where the desk was. Your books can all be stored in one place with your own mini-library. A big comfy chair can be added for you to enjoy. What have you imagined for this room?
What about repainting and removing your child’s posters? Again, make sure you are in agreement with your teen. Some of these items may be considered collectibles (at least in your child’s eyes)! Choose a color you can both live with. A compromise on the posters might be leaving two walls with their décor. (Then position your desk or sewing machine so your back is toward your child’s walls!)
While you may still feel sadness, take some steps to build your own creative space. Then you can feel free to explore all the creative aspects of your life waiting for you to discover.
