Empty Nest? What to Do When Your Youngest Child Leaves for College

Raising kids is one of life's greatest pleasures. Perhaps the only thing better than raising kids is getting them through high school, into their dream school, and out of the nest. Parenting is a full-time job that doesn't end when your children leave home, but the job does become much easier.

After being there for your children every step of the way, from their birth and first steps through the college admissions gauntlet, you deserve a respite. However, the question is what will you do with your newfound freedom? Continue reading to get some ideas on how to spend your time after sending your youngest child off to college.

Travel the United States.

As you know, parenting is one of the most difficult jobs known to humans. It's understandable if you're ready to hit the road for a vacation once you and your partner have the house to yourselves.

If you have an RV, you should consider taking a road trip across the U.S. instead of the typical vacation. There are numerous sites and landmarks to see, and if you have a motorhome and a camera, you have all you need to make lasting memories.

Of course, it's important to make sure your RV or travel trailer is ready for the road. It's a good idea to take your recreational vehicle to an RV mechanic for an inspection to ensure everything is in working order. Furthermore, you need to make sure you have all the proper documents, from your RV owner's manual to your registration and a copy of your RV insurance.

If you want to add a little adventure to your road trip, you should try navigating the old school way—with a map. You'll still have your smartphone as a backup if you get too far off course, but there's nothing like mapping your way across the country in your RV and enjoying your partner sans mobile devices.

Rekindle your romance with your significant other.

The chances are that while your kid was going through college admission counseling services and dreaming of life on their own you were equally enthralled by the idea of you and your partner having the house to yourselves. Moments of intimacy can be few and far between when raising kids. Once you have the house to yourselves, you and your partner can give each other the attention you divided between your children.

If you want to rekindle the flame with your partner, you should go all in. Surprise them with a night on the town—maybe even visit some of the places the two of you used to like to go for dates before your lives became so full of children and responsibilities. There's nothing like painting the town red with your lover and best friend to turn back the hands of time and rekindle the flame that blessed you with your children.

Convert your childrens' bedrooms into an office, private space, or home gym.

One of the best things about you and your spouse having the house to yourselves is that you can convert the childrens' rooms into whatever you like. If you've always wanted to have a man cave or boudoir, now you have the room. You could also convert the extra rooms into office space or a home gym. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

After raising your kids and putting them on the path of higher education, you deserve to be carefree. Whether you choose to travel the U.S. in an RV from New York to California or christen your empty nest with your partner, the most important thing is to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here's to getting your youngest child into their dream school and living the dream yourself.