The lifelong question of how to find friends! My youngest is in her first semester at college, and it has been hard to find friends. Listen to what advice I’ve given her, and how it also applies to us as we move to new jobs or new places in the empty nest phase.

I quit my job! After 16 years and with 2 in college, what was I thinking?? It’s scary, exciting, and crazy! But I did it! Listen in and hear my thoughts on how and why I did it.

We dropped off our youngest at college, and we are doing well! Leading up to this, I was a little worried at how we would all do at this point. There were some tears, but overall, it was a positive experience! I also decided with her dad and I feeling good, we should celebrate! The emotions will come, I’m sure, but if we are feeling good about things, why not celebrate our successes in raising two wonderful kids?! That is something worth celebrating!

An empty nest mom realizing her kids want to do more and more without her! Yes, it is hard to adjust to. But it is totally normal. Has this happened to you? Any advice for those of us just realizing this? Reach out to Next Chapter Empty Nest on Facebook and Instagram! I’d love to hear from you!

When your child heads back to college early instead of staying home for the entire summer, what’s your reaction? Mine was shock! I don’t know if I’m over it yet (ok-I’m not!). Hear how I’m dealing with it and how I’m preparing myself for this kind of thing.

Hear how college orientation went and what two lessons the parents learned! Very valuable advice!

High school graduation is complete! My youngest has officially graduated from high school! Hear how it went, the ceremony and the graduation party. Almost a full-fledged empty nester- at least during the college months! Yikes!

Hear Brenda tell about her youngest finishing her senior year of high school! So much growth, and some tears for mom, as we look forward to what is to come.

Last week I talked about my college student and after it, I felt like I talked about the good. Well, what about the rest of it? It is has been an emotional time around here with my daughter coming home from college. As many people have warned me, it is an adjustment! So listen in for the rest of the story! Also, numbers 21-30 of my 50 New Things I tried in my 50th year!

A review of my college student’s last 2 years & how it has been for her! And a review of Numbers 11-20 of my 50 New Things! Do you have a college kid? How was their year? Send me a DM on Facebook or Instagram @nextchapteremptynest and tell me about it! If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with others or give it a review!

Welcome to the relaunch of the Next Chapter Empty Nest podcast! It has been a long time but I’m so happy to be back, and even happier to have you here! I will tell you what’s been going on and fill you in from this past year. I’ve missed you! Thank you for listening and being a part of it. Feel free to reach out and let me know what you think, if you’d like to be interviewed, or just want to say hi! Facebook Next Chapter Empty Nest: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2672047719776656/?ref=share_group_link Instagram: https://instagram.com/nextchapteremptynest?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Email: nextchapteremptynest@gmail.com

Today's episode has Gina Rindfleisch who is preparing for an empty nest in a positive, yet creepy, way! Gina has always liked creepy and scary things, and enjoys scary movies and creating creepy art. Listen as she tells how she got into this, what else she does, and check out her Facebook group and Etsy store after! You can find Gina on:  Facebook at The Creeptastics Instagram @thecreeptastics TikTok thecreeptastics She also has her Etsy shop Little Lively one. You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at:  https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/  On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest  We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/

Emily Baker is here to share with us how she started TWO businesses! Have you had an idea for your own business but aren’t sure how to go about it? Has your idea been on the back burner but you’ve thought maybe it’s time to put it out into the world? Be inspired by Emily and her thoughts on entrepreneurship! To reach Emily: Instagram: @buoy.box and @confidencewillfollow On Facebook: BuoyBox and Confidence Will Follow. You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at: https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/ On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/

Today we have Nicole Williams on the podcast! She is so lovely, sweet, and kind. Listen as she shares with us how she got her dream job of working from home, about the online community she created, and what she is planning to do when she has an empty nest.

You can find Nicole and join her Start Your Week below. You will have access to Nicole's FREE invite for Monday Mornings live on Zoom at 9am EST!

https://startyourweek-selfcare.com.site/home

Nicole's blog is here:

thankfulsinglemomma.com

Everyone is invited to send a FREE card, compliments of Nicole, with SendOutCards! Anywhere you like, and it includes a card and postage!

http://ltl.is/twcb54n

You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at:

https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot:

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/

Today we talk with my daughter, Jenna. Get the low down on college life from her first semester experiences. We talk about meeting new people, finding her way around, being away from home, and much more!

You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at:

https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot:

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/

Meet VaRonica Jackson, empty nester and solo RV traveler! Veronica inspires us with making her dreams come true! She wanted to travel, always wanted an RV, so she went and got one. Nothing is stopping her now! Listen to VaRonica share with us the benefits of an RV, where she's been, and where she wants to go. You can watch her videos on YouTube, like the tour of her RV. I subscribed to her channel so I can see all that she does!

If you'd like to follow VaRonica, and who wouldn't?, you can find her here:

Instagram: @vstraveling fun

You Tube: ImVGodsgift

You can find the Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at:

https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

On Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured on the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot:

https://blog.feedspot.com/empty-nest-podcasts/

The first semester, 50 New Things, and more of what’s been going on! So glad to be back at podcasting! Thanks for joining me!

Rachel Karpf is here from Mic Drop Miniatures. She makes the ordinary extraordinary- in miniature! Rachel is full of ideas in how to make miniature replicas of just about anything, and how these can be used. The miniature world has been around a long time but is really taking off now. And they aren't just for kids anymore! Listen to all that she does, and get inspired to follow her and learn how to make things in miniature. 

You can find Rachel on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/MicDropMiniatures/ 

and also at this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/miniaturesclub/?ref=share

 Rachel has also started a new website to meet and collaborate with other miniaturists: theminidistrict.com

You can find Next Chapter Empty Nest webpage at: https://www.podpage.com/next-chapter-empty-nest/episodes/

on Facebook and Instagram: Next Chapter Empty Nest

We are also featured in the Top 25 Empty Nest Podcasts on Feedspot! https://blog.feedspot.com/empty_nest_podcasts/

Anne Kulhanek shares with us the joys of traveling as an empty nester! She also teaches us the best times to use a travel agent and how they can help us as we have more time to travel. You can reach Anne at Premier Travels phone number (920)845-2600 or by email at anne@premiertravels.com to plan a vacation. For more Next Chapter Empty Nest, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at Next Chapter Empty Nest.

Kathy was fun to interview! Hear about her adventures with RVing solo on this episode. To find Kathy, her blog is travelswithsqueaky.com and has a link to her podcast. On Instagram you can find her @kbelge, and on Facebook she is at Solo Women RVers. In this episode, she talks about finding where she likes to camp, and sent us her link to Harvest Hosts, which has a discount code, to use for interesting places to stay: http://harvesthosts.refr.cc/kathybelge.  For more empty nest fun, you can connect on Facebook and Instagram at Next Chapter Empty Nest!