So many times we hear of couples who experience Empty Nest Syndrome divorce soon after their little birds fly the coup. It seems that the number of “Gray Divorces” are on the rise. A Gray Divorce is a terminology for couples who divorce later on in life. Since the population in general is living longer, couples who would have normally stuck it out, are desiring to spend their retirement years being happy even if that means leaving an unhappy marriage.
FamilyAffaires.com Expert Contributor, Dr. Dan Gottlieb discusses this issue with FamilyAffaires.com Co-Founder Roseann Vanella who is a Professional Family Mediator and principal at the Family Mediation firm, Advanced Mediation Solutions. Dr. Gottlieb explains that couples need to connect or stay connected way before the time approaches when they become Empty Nesters.
Many couples are too “child centric”, meaning where everything about the couple and family revolves around the child. Couples need to take time for one another and make sure their partners are happy and heard in the relationship. Watch and listen for plenty of other great advice from Dr. Gottlieb.
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Thanks for the great discussion. I love the idea that an empty nester couple should dream together. There is time to think about the “we” and that it is wonderful!