Empty nest, Full hearts

As graduation caps fly into the air this spring, parents of only children face a uniquely bittersweet transition. Unlike parents with multiple kids who experience a gradual emptying of the nest, we’re facing an abrupt shift from family home to quiet house:

• The sudden abundance of time that used to be filled with drop-offs, pick-ups, and music performances

• The shift in identity from active, everyday parent to something new and undefined

• The strange reality that no one needs to know your daily whereabouts anymore

For 18 years, our calendars have been dictated by school schedules, extracurricular activities, and the rhythm of raising a child. Now, as we beam with pride watching our graduate cross the stage, we’re also crossing a threshold ourselves.

The paradox is profound: we’ve successfully raised an independent human ready to launch — exactly what we wanted — yet that success brings its own complex emotions.

We feel immense pride and excitement for their future alongside the quiet ache of closing a chapter that defined us for nearly two decades.

For workplace leaders, recognizing this transition in your team members matters. That distracted colleague in May might be mentally redecorating their child’s bedroom while simultaneously researching college care packages. The employee suddenly available for early meetings might be adjusting to mornings without school lunches to pack.

As my own son prepares to don his cap and gown, I’m learning that this transition isn’t just his milestone — it’s a family metamorphosis. We’re not just parents sending a graduate into the world; we’re people rediscovering ourselves and each other in the space our child confidently leaves behind. And that, perhaps, is the greatest success of all.