The Agony of Empty Nest Syndrome
As Christmas draws to a close, many parents face an unsettling reality - their children are leaving home. The silence is deafening, and even the most casual WhatsApps go unread. It's as if they're slowly disappearing into thin air. For Emma Beddington, this phenomenon is all too familiar. Her sons may be independent, thriving individuals, but for her, it feels like a personal failure.
However, she's not alone in this struggle. In fact, the "stay-at-home hub-son" - a subcategory of boomerang kids - has gained significant attention in recent years. According to ONS data, 34% of 20-34-year-old men live with their parents, compared to 22.1% of women in that age bracket. This trend is also evident in the US, where some young adults have openly described themselves as professional stay-at-home sons.
Emma's situation feels all too relatable. Her sons would rather fly solo than settle down at home. But amidst this empty nest syndrome, she's found an unlikely companion - a baby tortoise. Born unexpectedly in 2024, this winter was the first time Baby Tortoise met its maker, and it had to hibernate fasted. Emma anthropomorphized her tortoise, attributing human-like emotions to its tiny face, which watched with hope, then wounded, incomprehension.
The experience was harrowing, but also strangely relieving when she finally put Baby Tortoise in a box and closed the lid. The tortoise's survival, albeit temporary, felt like a small victory over the cruelty of hibernation. Emma couldn't help but wonder how her husband managed this task without feeling as guilty as she did.
As she navigates the post-nest period, Emma finds solace in caring for Baby Tortoise. It may be an imperfect substitute for human company, but it's a reminder that life is full of unexpected moments and distractions. And who knows? Maybe keeping Baby Tortoise alive will teach her a thing or two about resilience - both as a parent and as an individual.
In the end, Emma's story is one of motherhood, self-discovery, and the unconventional beauty of caring for a tiny creature that refuses to leave its nest.
As Christmas draws to a close, many parents face an unsettling reality - their children are leaving home. The silence is deafening, and even the most casual WhatsApps go unread. It's as if they're slowly disappearing into thin air. For Emma Beddington, this phenomenon is all too familiar. Her sons may be independent, thriving individuals, but for her, it feels like a personal failure.
However, she's not alone in this struggle. In fact, the "stay-at-home hub-son" - a subcategory of boomerang kids - has gained significant attention in recent years. According to ONS data, 34% of 20-34-year-old men live with their parents, compared to 22.1% of women in that age bracket. This trend is also evident in the US, where some young adults have openly described themselves as professional stay-at-home sons.
Emma's situation feels all too relatable. Her sons would rather fly solo than settle down at home. But amidst this empty nest syndrome, she's found an unlikely companion - a baby tortoise. Born unexpectedly in 2024, this winter was the first time Baby Tortoise met its maker, and it had to hibernate fasted. Emma anthropomorphized her tortoise, attributing human-like emotions to its tiny face, which watched with hope, then wounded, incomprehension.
The experience was harrowing, but also strangely relieving when she finally put Baby Tortoise in a box and closed the lid. The tortoise's survival, albeit temporary, felt like a small victory over the cruelty of hibernation. Emma couldn't help but wonder how her husband managed this task without feeling as guilty as she did.
As she navigates the post-nest period, Emma finds solace in caring for Baby Tortoise. It may be an imperfect substitute for human company, but it's a reminder that life is full of unexpected moments and distractions. And who knows? Maybe keeping Baby Tortoise alive will teach her a thing or two about resilience - both as a parent and as an individual.
In the end, Emma's story is one of motherhood, self-discovery, and the unconventional beauty of caring for a tiny creature that refuses to leave its nest.
! In the UK alone, we've got 1 in 5 young men living with their parents 
. And it's not just the UK - US data shows 24% of millennials are still living at home 
. I mean, I'm all for flexibility and figuring out your life, but some people might need a little more support, you know? 
But Emma's found a way to cope by caring for that tortoise - talk about finding the silver lining in an empty nest 
. 
34% of 20-34-year-old men in the UK live with their parents (ONS data)
The average cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 is around £144,000 (UK)
70% of parents say having children has improved their mental health (UK)
. My own kiddo just left for uni and it was like a part of me was missing 
. But then I started volunteering at this animal shelter and it's been a game-changer! I get to spend time with these adorable fur babies (and now baby tortoises too, lol) 
her situation is so relatable even though she has this adorable tortoise companion lol baby tortoises are literally the most low maintenance pets you can get idk what im gonna do when my kids leave home tho 
plus it's amazing how much joy she found in caring for the tortoise - who knew tortoises could bring people so much happiness? 
I feel so bad for Emma & her sons... it's like they're being pulled in two different directions 
. On one hand, you wanna be proud of them for becoming independent adults 
. And then there's this 'empty nest syndrome' thing - I mean, what even is that? 
. Who knew caring for a baby tortoise could be therapeutic? 
.
i got this tiny succulent plant and it's literally just chillin on my shelf now but it kinda makes me happy thinking about how it needs me too 
... like, u get this overwhelming feeling of emptiness & it feels like u failed as a parent, but at the same time... life's full of unexpected moments & distractions... like Emma's tortoise, right? 
... my aunt just had her youngest child move out and now she's left with this huge empty space in the house. it's like, hello where did all the noise and mess go? 
The post-nest syndrome thing might seem tough on the parents, but it's actually an awesome opportunity for them to rediscover themselves. Like Emma did with that baby tortoise, they can find new joys in caring for something (or someone) else and learn to be super resilient too 
of all these parents who get to experience this "empty nest" thing 
. Like, what's wrong with having your kids around? My parents still live in their basement and it's driving me crazy! 
And don't even get me started on the whole "baby tortoise" thing... like, who thought that was a good idea? 
. And I'm not buying the whole "it's a reminder of resilience" vibe 
it's not easy to let go, you know? but in Emma's case, getting a baby tortoise out of the blue might be kinda therapeutic 
i mean who wouldn't want to experience the world through those big round eyes 
its weird not having them around all the time but its also kinda liberating? idk i guess its like they're finally proud of you, even if it hurts a bit 