Bemoaning the Empty Nest

Adolescence is perhaps nature's way of preparing parents to welcome the empty nest.
-Karen Savage and Patricia Adams

When mothers talk about the depression of the empty nest, they're not mourning the passing of all those wet towels on the floor, or the music that numbs your teeth, or even the bottle of capless shampoo dribbling down the shower drain. They're upset because they've gone from supervisor of a child's life to a spectator. It's like being the vice president of the United States. -Erma Bombeck

Helping your eldest to pick a college is one of the greatest educational experiences of life - for the parents. Next to trying to pick his bride, it's the best way to learn that your authority, if not entirely gone, is slipping fast. -Sally and James Reston

I really miss those days when my teenagers ignored me and thought they were smarter than me. I also so miss all of the melodrama. But mostly I miss being younger. -Kansas Bob