From mom to me again : how I survived my first empty-nest year and reinvented the rest of my life

Title:

Author:

Summary:

When her children left for college, Melissa Shultz was certain that she had prepared them for their new lives?but her own life was a different matter entirely. Her house was empty, her purpose unclear. If her life was no longer dominated by the day-to-day demands of mom life, then who exactly was she? And how would she ever move forward? From Mom to Me Again is the story of one woman's reinvention. Shultz's struggle with the empty nest and the transformation of her marriage, friendships, career, and ultimately herself, is part memoir and part self-help guide. Funny, comforting, and practical, this book tells Shultz's personal story and provides valuable advice for readers preparing to send their children off into the world. She shows women that while they'll always be mothers, it's time for them to take center stage in their own lives once again and embrace this new stage, in both their personal lives and in their professional careers. -- Amazon.

Physical Description:

xx, 197 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm

Genre:

Personal Subject:

Subject Term:

Self-realization in women.

Publisher:

Sourcebooks, Inc.,

Publication Date:

2016

ISBN:

9781492618430

Publication Information:

Naperville, Ill. : Sourcebooks, Inc., [2016]

Call Number:

306.874 SHULTZ

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003664474	New Adult Nonfiction	306.874 SHULTZ	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

Rediscover your own identity after your kids leave home with this top-rated empty nest book for moms!

This empowering and insightful book is packed with practical advice, inspiring anecdotes, and valuable strategies to help you navigate the transition into empty nesting and discover a vibrant new identity.

Written by an experienced author who has been through the journey herself, this book is your trusted companion as you embark on this transformative phase. Whether you're feeling lost, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what lies ahead, From Mom to Me Again offers a roadmap to reclaiming your independence, rediscovering your passions, and embracing the joy and opportunities that come with an empty nest.

Inside, you'll find:

Practical tips for adjusting to life without children at home, creating a fulfilling routine, and establishing new goals. Inspiring stories from real women who have successfully reinvented themselves after their children have flown the nest. Expert advice on self-care, cultivating new friendships, and exploring new hobbies or career paths. Strategies for nurturing your relationships with your grown children and maintaining a strong bond while giving them space to grow. Guidance on navigating the emotional ups and downs of this transition and finding a renewed sense of purpose.

Whether you're a newly empty-nester or have been on this journey for some time, From Mom to Me Again is your go-to resource for embracing change, rediscovering yourself, and living life to the fullest. With its wealth of wisdom, actionable steps, and uplifting guidance, this book is a must-read for every woman ready to embark on a new chapter of her life.

Also makes a great gift for empty nesters!

Author Notes

Melissa T. Shultz has written about health and parenting for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, Newsweek, Readers' Digest, The Huffington Post, Next Avenue, Scary Mommy, Babble, and other publications and blogs. She is also an acquisitions editor for Jim Donovan Literary. A native of Washington, D.C., and mother of two sons, she lives in the Dallas area with her husband.

Reviews (1)

Publisher's Weekly Review

In this wise and encouraging guide for mothers of adult children, Huffington Post blogger Shultz combines posts she wrote on adjusting after her two sons left for college with interviews with mothers and various experts. Part memoir and part self-help, the book is filled with useful suggestions; the overriding message is to start the process before the kids leave. Shultz likens empty-nest parenthood to moving from catcher to pitcher; another mom likens her new role to that of a consultant rather than full-time employee. Grown children, Shultz points out, still need a parent's input. Generally optimistic (though she does grimly compare her childless house to a "theater that has gone totally dark"), she suggests strengthening other important relationships, such as with spouses, and, if one has been out of the workforce, seeking ways to reenter it. Instead of wallowing, she recommends reaching out to friends, traveling, exploring hobbies, and viewing the change as a chance to redesign one's future. Three million American women face the empty-nest experience each year, according to the author; this guidebook will help mothers navigate this "wonderful and horrible" time with acceptance and aplomb. Agent: Carol Mann, Carol Mann Agency. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Introduction: It Happens to the Best of Us	p. xiii
The Big Questions: What Will the Empty Nest Bring?	p. xvii
Nine Signs You're Not Ready to Transition to the Empty Nest	p. xxi
Part 1 Letting Go of the Mothering Instinct
On Parenting and Loss	p. 1
The Art of Nurturing	p. 9
The Need to Protect and Control	p. 13
Shifting from Mother to Mentor	p. 20
Talking to Your Kids	p. 31
It's a Process, This Separation Thing	p. 34
When It Really, Truly, Finally Happens	p. 41
Part 2 Wallowing in the Past and on the Couch
The Initial Shock	p. 49
If I Knew Then...	p. 60
The Hardest Part	p. 69
The Importance of Shifting the Focus to You	p. 73
Waiting for My New Life to Begin	p. 76
Part 3 Searching for a New Life with Meaning (and More Sleep)
Building a Bridge	p. 81
The Father Factor	p. 85
Doing Things Differently	p. 96
The Power of Positive Thinking	p. 101
How to Become More Resilient	p. 104
How to Improve Your Outlook	p. 106
Defining Happiness	p. 110
Part 4 Finding the Right Path to Reinvention
Love and Marriage	p. 119
How to Reconnect, Emotionally and Physically	p. 126
Friendships	p. 139
Breaking Up	p. 146
Reaching Out	p. 148
Passions and Careers	p. 153
Job Search and Resume Tools	p. 165
An Inspiring Story of Rediscovery	p. 171
Transformation: Me, Reinvented	p. 174
Because You're Worth It	p. 178
Resources	p. 185
Sources	p. 189
Acknowledgments	p. 195
About the Author	p. 199

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Bound With These Titles

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (1)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Table of Contents