49 Best Empty Nest Sayings and Quotes for Every Emotion
I’ve been an empty nester more times than I can remember because my adult children have come and gone several times. Yep! We’re one of those families where multigenerational living has been a reality for a multitude of wonderful reasons.
And, every time they leave, I go through a variety of emotions. Empty nest syndrome is a real thing, y’all!
There’s sadness because the house feels so quiet, but there’s also a little relief about having my own space back. Then comes pride in knowing they’re out chasing their dreams—and let’s be honest, sometimes a little guilt for enjoying the extra freedom.
It’s a rollercoaster, but I’ve learned to embrace it all.
That’s why I love empty nest sayings and quotes—they capture the mix of humor, wisdom, and comfort that helps me navigate this phase of life. Whether you’re laughing through the tears or simply reflecting on how the years flew by, these sayings remind us we’re not alone in the journey.
Positive Quotes for Empty Nesters (You WILL Survive)
1. “Your child’s life will be filled with fresh experiences. It’s good if yours is as well.” — Dr. Margaret Rutherford
2. “Be open to what comes next for you. You may be heading in one direction and then life brings you another that might be a good thing.” — Natalie Cane
3. “The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the empty nest is learning to put myself first.” — Kim Alexis
4. “It’s not only children who grow. Parents do, too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.” — Joyce Maynard
5. “If you see your kids moving on as you are missing something, you will experience this phase in a state of lack. If you see your kids moving on as an accomplishment, you will be joyful to experience this phase.” — Anonymous
6. “Our children’s independence is a reminder of how much we had to give and all that we have accomplished. It is a pleasure to remember that it is not a form of abandonment but an expression of a job well done.” — Unknown
7. “Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” — Linda Wooten
Funny Empty Nest Sayings to Make You SMILE
8. “Behind every great kid is a mom who’s pretty sure she’s screwing it up.” — Anonymous
9. “If you’ve never been hated by your child, you’ve never been a parent.” — Bette Davis
10. “Adolescence is perhaps nature’s way of preparing parents to welcome the empty nest.” — Karen Savage and Patricia Adams
11. “Hey, empty nest parents, if you want your kid to call you, just change your Netflix password.” — Unknown
12. “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
13. “You see much more of your children after they leave home.” — Lucille Ball
14. “The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.” — Dorothy Parker
15. “Empty nest syndrome? There’s a nap for that.” — Anonymous
16. “If only I had more laundry to do,’ said no empty nester mother ever.” — Unknown
17. “If the nest is truly empty, who owns all this junk?” — Erma Bombeck
Empty Nest Sayings and Quotes for Comfort
18. “The art of mothering is to teach the art of living.” — Elaine Hefner
19. “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” — Anonymous
20. “Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing” — Rikki Lake
21. “As our daughter leaves the nest, we’re filled with a strange mix of sadness, pride, and gratitude for everything she’s taught us.” ― Unknown
22. “Our job as parents is to teach our kids not to need us. And it hurts, but when you see them as accomplished, confident, kind, thoughtful responsible people, then you know you’ve done your job.” — Barack Obama
23. “A mother knows what her child’s gone through, even if she didn’t see it herself.” — Pramoedya Ananta Toer
24. “To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle, I say, ‘Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.” — Jeffrey R. Holland
25. “It doesn’t matter how old you are or what you do in your life. You never stop needing your mom.” — Kate Winslet
26. “The ‘empty nest’ comes quickly. Do not squander your most previous privilege of participating in the lives of your children.” — Unknown
Empty Nest Quotes about Letting Go
27. “Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.” — Ann Landers
28. “Sometimes love means letting go when you want to hold on tighter.” — Melissa Marr
29. “There are two gifts we can give our children. One is roots and the other is wings.” — Anonymous
30. “Letting go does not mean not caring about things. It means caring about them in a flexible and wise way.” — Jack Kornfield
31. “A Mother’s Job is to teach her children not to need her anymore. The hardest part of that job is accepting success.” — Anonymous
32. “Letting go helps us to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations that do not belong to us. This frees us from unnecessary stress”. — Melody Beattie
33. “I think the hardest thing for a mother is to make it possible for a child to be independent and at the same time let the child know how much you love her, how much you want to take care of her, and yet how truly essential it is for her to fly on her own.” — Madeleine Albright
34. “A wise parent humors the desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and advisor when his absolute rule shall cease.” — Elizabeth Gaskel
35. “To raise a child who is comfortable enough to leave you means you’ve done your job. They are not ours to keep, but to teach how to soar on their own.” — Author Unknown
36. “I think that the best thing we can do for our children is to allow them to do things for themselves, allow them to be strong, allow them to experience life on their own terms.” — C. Joybell C.
Inspirational Quotes and Sayings about Parenting
37. “A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.” — Emily Dickenson
38. “To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle, I say, ‘Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.” — Jeffrey R. Holland
39. “The mother-child relationship is paradoxical and, in a sense, tragic. It requires the most intense love on the mother’s side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother, and to become fully independent.” — Erich Fromm
40. “Watching my daughter leave the nest is like watching her take her first steps – bittersweet but necessary for growth.” — Unknown
41. Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” — Linda Wooten
42. “People make a lot of jokes about the empty nest. Let me tell you, it is no laughing matter. It is really hard.” — Michelle Pfeiffer
43. “The afternoon of life is just as full of meaning as the morning; only, its meaning and purpose are different….” — Carl Jung
44. “Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.” — Dalai Lama
45. “I remember my mother’s prayers, and they have always followed me.” — Abraham Lincoln
46. “It’s funny, what the younger generation assumes we don’t know. They assume we couldn’t possibly understand the agony of heartbreak, or the pressure of buying a house. We couldn’t understand infertility or depression or the fight for equality. If we have experienced any of these things, they were milder, softer versions, played out in sepia, not experiences that could compare to theirs. You have no idea what I know, I want to tell her. Instead I open my arms and let her lie against my shoulder and cry.” — Sally Hepworth
Empty Nest Quotes About Mothers and Sons
47. “She stopped herself. He wasn’t a boy. A time comes in the life of a mother and son when that kind of mothering crosses the line into critical behavior. At age thirty he could eat and talk in any way he saw fit.” — Catherine Ryan Hyde
48. “The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the empty nest is learning to put myself first. I know that I have raised my sons to be big, strong, independent men who love God, themselves and care for others. I have to learn to let them have space and learn without me.” — Kim Alexis
49. “I am a proud empty nester. An empty nest means I did my job right. My children grew to be happy, safe, healthy, and strong. This is all I wanted for them. I am so proud of my boys!” — Donna Ashworth
Final Thoughts: Empty Nest Sayings and Quotes
Adjusting to the empty nest can be an emotional journey, but it’s also a great opportunity to rediscover yourself and embrace this new phase of life.
With your adult children off pursuing their own paths, you might find yourself with some extra time to focus on things you’ve put on hold. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, traveling, simply enjoying the quiet, getting back to your Bucket List, or even early retirement, this season of life is full of possibilities.
As you navigate the ups and downs, remember that your relationship with your young adults is evolving into something truly special—one built on mutual respect, independence, and love.
Take pride in the role you’ve played in shaping their journey and cherish the memories you’ve created together. And when the house feels a little too quiet, just revisit these empty nest sayings for a smile or a bit of inspiration!
As you navigate this phase of life, you might enjoy these Related Articles:
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- 57 Inspirational Quotes for Women in Midlife and Beyond
- 65 Beautiful Let Yourself Bloom Quotes to Inspire You
Love to ALL! ~ Susan
