Summer Flashback and the Bittersweet Empty Nest Journey

Audio By Carbonatix

I was looking through some old family photos the other day and stumbled across one that took me right back to the summer of 2006. It was a picture of our family trip to Silverwood Theme Park in Northern Idaho. Looking at those sweet, young faces, a wave of that beautiful, bittersweet ache washed over me.

If you are currently in the thick of homeschooling toddlers, grade-schoolers, and middle-schoolers, let me just wrap you in a big hug and tell you: enjoy every single crazy, chaotic minute. Because it flies by in the blink of an eye.

Back then, our days were filled with packing up heavy strollers, counting heads in crowded amusement parks, and sharing oversized theme park treats. Today, my reality looks a little different. Having graduated eight of my children, I am down to navigating the final high school years with my last two. Many of those sweet faces from the 2006 photo have grown up, moved out, and are busy building beautiful lives of their own.

It is the ultimate goal of homeschooling—to roots them in faith and give them wings to fly—but oh, it is so bittersweet to watch the nest empty out.

Flashback 2006: Roller Coasters and Greasy Burgers

I had to laugh reading what I wrote on the blog exactly twenty years ago. Back then, I was celebrating a 20-pound weight loss and trying hard to switch to salads and fresh fruit. But when we hit Silverwood, the theme park food won. I wrote:

“One greasy cheeseburger, some fries, an ice cream cone… and a few too many spins, and I was feeling ILL. Weaning off greasy food is similar to weaning off bad habits and past sins. Once you taste the good life, it’s hard to go back. Although sin may ‘taste’ good for a while, my heart gets sick, my soul feels icky…”

Looking back, I realize that theme park trip wasn’t just a lesson in spiritual nutrition; it was a snapshot of a chaotic, joyful season of full-time parenting. Back then, “conquering the roller coasters tossed my way” meant surviving amusement park lines, managing sugar crashes, and trying not to get motion sickness on the spinning rides.

The “Then and Now” of Motherhood

Today, the roller coasters look a little different. The rides I’m navigating now are emotional ones—the highs and lows of letting go.

When your house is loud and the messy handprints are on every window, it’s easy to dream of a quiet, clean house. But now that the quiet moments happen more naturally, I find myself missing the noise. I miss the times when everyone fit around one kitchen table, and when a family trip meant loading everyone into the same big vehicle.

Yet, even in the bittersweet ache of watching them grow, there is such profound joy. God is so faithful. We don’t just lose our children to adulthood; we gain adult friends, sons- and daughters-in-law, and precious grandchildren. The family just keeps expanding in beautiful new ways.

Nourishing Our Souls for the Long Haul

Whether you are in the season of packing diaper bags or packing college dorm boxes, the spiritual truth I felt back in 2006 still stands true today. To survive the roller coaster of parenting, we have to constantly crucify our fleshly tendencies—our impatience, our worry, our grumbling—and feed our souls with the goodness of God.

When we open our Bible to Galatians, Paul reminds us of how we are called to live:

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” — Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT)

When we feed our hearts with His Word, He gives us the strength to embrace the exact season we are in. He helps us appreciate the loud, chaotic “then” and gives us the grace to celebrate the quiet, redemptive “now.”

So, mama, if you’re feeling a little green from the wild ride of homeschooling and parenting today, take heart. Grab a Bible, take a deep breath, and thank God for the beautiful mess right in front of you. The days are long, but the years are so incredibly short.

A Mother’s Prayer for Growing Hearts

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family and for the beautiful, wild roller coaster of motherhood. Thank You for the memories of years past, and for the precious days we have right now. Lord, for the mom whose house is loud and overwhelming today, grant her supernatural patience, joy, and physical strength. For the mom whose heart is feeling the bittersweet ache of an emptying nest, wrap her in Your comfort. Remind her that her children are always safely in Your hands. Help us to follow the Spirit’s leading in every season, trusting in Your perfect timing and Your infinite love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your Turn!

Look back at your family ten or twenty years ago. What is one thing you miss the most, and what is one thing you are celebrating in your current season? Let’s chat in the comments!

Additional Resources

Back in 2006, I was just beginning to look for help with my health, but I wasn’t ready yet. A few years ago, I finally decided I was ready, and I wanted to help others on their journeys, too. Scripture reminds us that the body of Christ has many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The part I always believed to be my weakest was my willpower. Yet, because I struggled, I can now offer help. My struggle was not meant for defeat. It was meant to lead to victory, and to help others find their victory, too.

Friend, if you are ready to make a change, please reach out to me. I would love to be your personal coach and guide you through this process. We can reset our health and find victory together.

You can start by taking my FREE Metalobic Health Scan, or you can fill out my form here.

And for extra support from other homeschool moms, join my Facebook group Healthy Homeschool Moms!