Last weekend I suffered empty nest syndrome for the first time. It's always been just the two of us, but this summer my kiddo nephew came to stay with us after he graduated from university. It's been a delightful summer having him around, and we went out quite a lot, like having picnic with the Queen at Buckingham Palace gardens, and hubby trained him to do grown up things like drinking whisky.
All happy times must come to an end, and last weekend it was time for my kiddo nephew to start his masters course. Although its only about 30km away in central London, it was still a little sad travelling into London to help him move into his accommodation.
Apart from when I went to pick up kiddo nephew in July, it's been a long time since I went inside student accommodation. It was quite interesting to see how they differ from my days. Kiddo was one of the first to move in and we got to snope around the other rooms. For nearly £200 a week, the rooms are a bit on the small side, that's London for you.
This is the common room to chillout, and students can have a game of table tennis here or just laze around watching TV.
I think there were three accommodation blocks here and a courtyard in the middle.
Although term time hadn't started yet, it seems some students were already partying hard with mannequin. Either the students were so drunk they forgot to bring half of mannequin back home, or mannequin was enjoying himself so much half of him didn't want to leave the party. Good to see they didn't forget the facial mask.
Amazon had a locker on premises, smart move to make it more convenient for students to buy online. And seems like many had started already. Just look at all the cardboard boxes they dumped on one side of the courtyard, along with the buckets and waste bins the cleaners had left around.
After kiddo settled down, we walked over to London Bridge for dinner. Due to me being in Taiwan, and Covid since I've been back in the UK in the past 18 months, I've hardly been in London. I didn't realise how much I'd miss it and what a lovely city it was, and still is. I spent some really nice years in London and am so happy that kiddo nephew now can enjoy the same experience as me.
We choose a very nice restaurant for dinner. It was by the River Thames, next to the Tower Bridge. The view was amazing. It was like a semi farewell dinner to mark the start of another chapter of kiddo's life. From now on, it will be just the two of us again like it used to be. I'm not sure how parents manage this empty nest syndrome. I imagine the parents are hit harder than the child. When the child leaves home and they jump immediately into a new life with new friends, whereas the parents are left looking at an empty bedroom at home.
It's been a few days already, and it feels a bit odd with kiddo gone. The good thing though.... kiddo started taking driving lessons during summer, and he's going to continue with his lessons here. That mean's he will be back every weekend. I'm going to bribe him with good home cooked food, hopefully he will drop back for dinner after his driving lessons!!!
Well I'm sure your kiddo appreciates the !LUV you've given. The dorm looks comfortable. I can relate to your story, but didn't differently. I've been staying with some friends for the last three months here in Colorado. I've become good friends em with their family, yet it looks like I might be heading back soon. Kinda bitter sweet. They've been so good to me, not really sure if I want to go back lol. Thanks for sharing. London looks amazing. !PIZZA
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Sounds like you met some really nice folks and had a good summer. I'm sure they're gonna miss you once your gone, having one less person at the dinner table and less a pair of hands to carry the weekly groceries home!!
You travelling around the country or going to start college/work?
It was my friend's wedding. For the first time in a long time I was in a position where I could leave my normal, so I took advantage of the opportunity. I needed proof that I could escape my routine and survive. Not only did I survive but I ended up thriving.
Quit my job of 17 years, and I decided to see if I could survive without one.
Oh, I can't imagine having an empty nest syndrome when my kid will go to college. Although that might happen 8-9 years from now, I don't like feeling.
HAHA good food always make the kiddo come home. I hope she will be enjoying her stay in London and will find good friends.
I imagine it will be harder if it's your own kid, and even though you've known all these years it's going to happen one day, the day when they actually move out is still going to be tough.
Good home cooked food is always a good way to get them back home once they realise their own cooking sucks!!!
Its always tough to miss someone so bad
I'm going to be writing a similar post in a few weeks when the school's go back here.
We've had our friends daughter staying 5 days a week so I can help her with her online school. We have kids in and out all the time because my wife is a kids OT but Champagne we've known since she was born.
We're just enjoying every minute as it's only a few years until she becomes a teenager and then, no doubt , she won't wantkto know us lol
Have a great weekend :-)
I've seen a few of your post with Champagne, was wondering what relationship she was with you guys. Teenagers are funny creatures, we should know, we once were ourselves, a long long time ago!!! Kiddo stayed with us during half terms when he first started boarding school in UK at 15, then we moved to Taiwan so we missed a few years with him when he was growing up. And now he's a young man, and it's nice to see his maturity, but sometimes still a young kid like he used to be. Hopefully you will still get to see Champagne often when she goes back to school
Oh, it's a sad day going back to Uni! :( I want them to grow up, but, not so fast! :) He is so fortunate to have you to show him around and he will get to see you!
Yes, luckily he's still pretty near, so I'm sure he'll be back often. It's just the initial few days that took a bit of getting used to 😊
I agree, once you resettle and he comes back and forth, you will have a new normal. :)
You are such a good aunt!
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That's sad that he had to leave you. Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun this summer. It's good that he's close though so he can pop in now and then for those home cooked dinners. Home cooked meals are a hot commodity when you're in college/university.
He was at boarding school for four years and then did three years at university, so seven years with so so food during most of the year meant he really misses good food. Apparently, when he was at boarding school, they used sliced bread as pizza base!!!!
Hahaha That sounds like a very young man thing to do. Being creative in the kitchen is good skill to have for university.
That's one place I really want to go to. It must be amazing. The view from the outdoor restaurant of the bridge all lit up is just awesome. Maybe someday.
It was absolutely a gorgeous view, but got really cold towards the end of the meal and we couldn't wait to leave! Overall a lovely experience.
I'm not sure that I am over empty nest syndrome yet! And my kids moved out 20 years ago.😂😭😂 Now I look forward to them coming to spend the weekend with me, and even then I hate to have them leave again.
Your London at night photos are beautiful. It is such a lovely city.
I'm glad your nephew will be coming for visits.
Are things back to normalish for you Melinda? I mean your family can come to see you more often now? I recall it was quite lonely for you last year. Hope all is well.
They are all here often. My daughter stops by a couple times a week, and my Chicago kids have been here at least one weekend every month, sometimes twice a month. We are all feeling much more connected! Thanks for asking.
nice place and city
I really can feel your excitement when you stated your nephew will start taking driving lessons. Such a beautiful heart you have. I'm very sure your kiddo appreciates that! 🥰
Thanks for the kind words @purepinay, he's the nearest I have to my own kids, so we kind of have a special relationship 😍
Yes, London is really expensive, the disadvantages of living in a big city like this