Empty Nest Syndrome: How Will It Affect You?

1. When it comes to colleges, your high-schooler thinks the farther away from home, the better. Your take:
   • No way, no how -- if something happens and my child needs me, I could never get there in time
   • It'll be hard with all that distance between us, but my kid is applying to great schools -- I'd consider it
   • Distance makes the heart grow fonder

2. If your college kid comes home for visits with heaps and heaps of dirty laundry, you'd feel:
   • Insulted -- I'd say, "I'm not your cleaning lady anymore, pumpkin"
   • Of course I'd do the laundry -- my child couldn't identify fabric softener if I served it for breakfast
   • Sort of annoyed, but the truth is, I like feeling useful

3. Your kid, the ultimate adventurer, wants to spend the summer before college (and her life savings) in Europe. Your response:
   • I'm not exactly thrilled at the idea, but I am prepared to negotiate, say, one month in Europe (with a calling card)
   • Wow, what a great opportunity, for both of us -- I could use some time to myself or alone with my husband
   • Absolutely not -- this is our last chunk of time as a family, and we're spending it on the same continent

4. Your child says he'd like to hold off on college and get a job in another city for a while. You think:
   • Great idea -- my child needs to learn how to pay bills and take care of himself
   • If my child wants to work and consider options, he can do it from home, save some money, eat nutritious food and get appropriate guidance
   • I'm stumped -- I'd worry my heart out, but it does seem like an interesting idea

5. Just before Labor Day, you take a stroll through your college-bound kid's room. The boxes are sealed, the trunk is half-packed ... how do you feel?
   • Elation -- I can't wait for the calm to descend on my home
   • Devastated -- that kid is the center of my universe
   • It's bittersweet -- this isn't easy, but it's time to cut the cord, and truth be told, I'm looking forward the free time

6. Your girlfriends, also empty-nesters, are planning a relaxing getaway at a spa in Mexico, departing the day after you drop your kid off at college. You:
   • Start fretting -- I'd love to rest and rejuvenate south of the border, and wonder if I can convince my friends to put the trip off a few weeks
   • Start packing -- what better way to start investing time and energy in myself again?
   • Say no, gracias -- how can I go away when my baby needs me most?

7. Your husband wants to turn your college kid's bedroom into a gym, leaving your son's bed in there so he has a place to stay during breaks. Your response:
   • I want our son's room to always feel like his room, not like he's sleeping at a gym -- it's not up for discussion
   • I'd suggest we wait a year and then ask our kid how he feels about his room doubling as a gym
   • Start pricing treadmills and Stairmasters

8. You've spent weeks decorating the house for the holidays, buying presents, making wreaths and planning family outings, but your little scholar calls to let you know she will be spending winter break at a friend's house in Florida. You feel:
   • Okay with it -- I might even talk my hubby into taking a romantic holiday vacation
   • Heartbroken -- and since I haven't seen my baby in months and this is such an important time to spend with family, I'd demand that my kid come home for the holidays
   • Hurt, but I'll survive -- I'd rather that my child were home for the holidays, but hey, who wouldn't love the beach in winter?

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