Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Preparing for the Empty Nest Years
May 5, 2025
Marci Seither, a creative storyteller and author of 'Empty Nest, Strategies to Help Your Kids Take Flight', shares her experience raising six children and being a grandmother of seven. She discusses the emotional rollercoaster parents face as kids leave home, emphasizing trust in the process. Marci offers tips for enhancing marital relationships during this transition and strategies to support siblings coping with change. Highlighting the importance of personal growth and identity, she encourages parents to embrace the journey of letting go.
27:35
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Quick takeaways
- Embracing stewardship in parenting allows children to pursue their dreams while fostering independence and healthy relationships.
- Navigating the empty nest transition requires acknowledging grief and strengthening marital bonds through shared activities and personal growth.
Deep dives
Understanding Stewardship in Parenting
Recognizing the difference between stewardship and ownership in parenting is essential for healthy relationships with children. Stewardship involves guiding children while allowing them to pursue their own goals and dreams, whereas ownership can lead to excessive control and dependency. Parents who fall into the ownership mindset often struggle to let go, fearing their children's mistakes might reflect poorly on themselves. Embracing stewardship encourages parents to see themselves as temporary caregivers, fostering independence and personal growth in their children.
