Read what some of the registered members of the E.N.M. Message board have to say about Empty Nest Moms:

Thank you for having this site. Two of my children and my grandchild moved out this past Sat., I realize way to many at one time for me to cope and it was a planned move with much anticipation by all parties, and BOOM, the grief that has enveloped me is amazing. I'm sitting here now with tears streaming down my cheeks. I just wanted to find someone somewhere that could tell me this is normal and there is hope it will get better. Your site is a blessing. 

Penny

Hi Jeanine, 

I'd like to say that Empty Nest Moms website has changed me from a scared, lost, bored, and lonely, empty nester... into a happier, more secure, and connected empty nester. 

I love hearing from moms (empty nest or full nest) all over the world. 

I feel I've learned how to make friends again, online, and in my personal life. 

Thanks again for starting this website, Jeanine! 

Love, Mae 

There were times when I didn't have the strength to post that I came here just to read. There were other times that I posted and just knowing that I could write from my heart was enough. The responses were wonderful, but more importantly I had somewhere to go when no one else understood, somewhere to express my feelings without fear of judgment. I knew there were others out there who might not be posting but who were reading and understanding and maybe even praying for me. 

Family members who have not yet gone through this would say things like "it could be worse." That is not the response you want when you pour your heart out. I lost two children to miscarriage. I lost my father when I was 20. I know it could be worse. I know that parents face the unfathomable loss of a child through death. But my feelings were real and the loss I felt was real. 

Here, I know that I won't be ridiculed or chastised for having those feelings. We don't suffer from empty nest syndrome because we have no life, but rather because our children are our life. Here, I know that others understand. Here, I feel the heart of generations of women who raised their children in every conceivable circumstance and the common bond of the deepest love imaginable - the love for your child. 

I also gained hope from those who have worked through this to the best of the ability, developing new relationships and hobbies, and from those who can't quite work through it but who persevere anyway. 

Debmc1958

I am a fairly new member to this site but have found such a positiveness from Mums in my position or some a lot worse off 
As I'm from New Zealand the most amazing thing I have discovered is all my sisters all over the world 
This is truly world wide fellowship 
I am many thousand miles away but feel so close to you all 
I think one of the most important things about this site is that in comforting and encouraging others it takes our minds off ourselves. 

Ty Jeanine and keep up the good work 

Love from New Zealand Kiwi Mum Claire 
(Bearnz) 

I have thoroughly enjoyed ENM and come here often to read posts from women all over the world all in the same dilemma.......missing our kids and the way life used to be! Even though I don't post often I still read and grieve with everyone here. ENM is one of the best websites on the net and it definitely serves a purpose. Thanks Jeanine for starting this site and giving us a place to come for friendship and hope. Love you all! 

Gemsab 

The best part about this site is knowing you are so completely normal for missing your kids the way that you do. When we are having a bad day we can come here for support. When we are having a good day we can come here to support others. This is a fine group of gals to hang out with. You rock sisters!! 

Buffysmom

Hi Jeanine, 

I completely agree with the other ladies; it has been a pleasure for me to become a member at this website. The forum of topics has given me opportunity to grow stronger mentally and emotionally and I have been frequently blessed by the personal sharing and encouragement offered by yourself and these other ladies. 

The website itself is very well put together, the forum is easily accessible and provides a diversified range of topics. The email notification is the first place I head each morning and often the last place I check before retiring in the evening. 

I have often and will continue to recommend this site to others, for the knowledge, acceptance and peace of mind they might find here. 

My many thanks, to Jeanine and each of the emptynesters who have willingly shared those parts of their lives which clearly edifies the importance of the role we play as women whether it be as mothers, sisters or daughters. 

God Bless you All! 
Jo Marie Kaeten-Schuh 
(JMK) 

Jeanine,

This website is a life line to me! I have made true friendships with people I have never seen or met except through this website, but have been able to share deeply, and candidly, and have received such support and encouragement! There have been times in the middle of the night that I have posted through tears, knowing that in the morning, someone would be there, and write me back. I am not an empty nester yet - but that is the beauty of this website. We are at many different stages of this empty nest. Some of us are totally empty nesters, some of us have kids still in college, some of us have teenagers still at home, but still dealing with the process of emptying the nest. I love the fact that we touch upon so many other important aspects of this stage of life - launching our kids off to college, rekindling the spark of midlife marriages, teenagers, menopause, taking care of our elderly parents, mid life career changes, rediscovering our spirituality, our kids getting engaged and married, parents breaking a hip or alas, dying, finding new creative outlets for our time. Most important, love and understanding, and often times, a heap of good advice. I feel "hugged" every time I come to this website - 

Nancy

Jeanine, 

This website has made my life better. When our one and only son left home to go to college I felt as if my purpose of life was done. My friends and family tried as they might just couldn't understand what I was feeling, even some of my dear friends who were going through the same stage in their life with their children leaving the nest were not having the feelings of despair and depression like I was. For a while I really thought There was something wrong with the way I was handling this stage of my life. It was on one of those very dark and lonely night that I was on the computer and put empty nest in the search engine and was directed to this site. What a God send, it was such a relief to know that other moms were out their struggling with this just like me. 

I have gained so much insight and knowledge from all of you. Even though we have never met in person I think of all of you as my girl friends I even refer to you in my conversations with friends and family as my empty nest group. I thank God for each and every one of you. This website has made my life a better one. Thanks to all. 

Sophomores Mom 
Doris 

My daughter was grown. I had just completed being a foster-home and I had not worked outside the home in more than fifteen years. I asked myself, "What next?" It was about that time I found the Empty Nest Mom's web site. I signed on with the nickname, WhatNext. 

The love, help and support was indeed a treasure of what I needed during my time of transition. My first story was published. My art work sold. An attorney friend asked if would go to work for her part-time. Part turned into most of the time three months later. 

I am thankful for this web site and the fine people who offered me so much. I do not know how I would have made it though the empty nest transition without this web site. 

WhatNext

I think we all feel closely tied to this site. I myself (like many others) first logged on through tears in the wee hours of the morning when sleep could not be had. I felt like I was reading my own thoughts and feelings but they had been written by someone I did not know, but felt a strong bond with. 

We find ourselves caring about one another and wondering how everyone's doing, sight unseen. That is what we come here for. 

Lorie