This is a new season of life.
One where I’m still showing up—just in different ways. Cheering from the stands, but also from afar. Planning visits. Looking forward to college games, tailgates, and parent weekends instead of carpools, school drop-offs, and booster club meetings. And always just a call or text away.
My name is Sherrie, and I’m a proud mom of four grown-and-flown(ish) children. I’m a former PR executive turned owner of SM Media, where I’ve spent over 23 years promoting both global and local brands and organizations through media outreach and partnerships.
As a new contributor to Westchester County Mom, I hope to share meaningful insights I’ve picked up along my journey raising these active kids in lower Westchester County, highlight fun and wonderful things about our community, and reflect on navigating this new season of life—the empty nest.
At the time my nest emptied, I had all four heading to college—a senior, a junior, and first-year twins. That summer was intense. The checklists, packing, coordinating travel to four different schools, and gathering all the “must-haves” for college (if you know, you know)…it was a lot.
Thank you, Amazon.
And with college athletes in the mix, there was an added layer of logistics—early arrivals for preseason, gear, team-bonding events, medical clearances, and all the details that come with them.
By the time we finished the final move-in—hot, heavy, and exhausting—the ride home felt less emotional than past drop-offs. My hair was full-on frizz, face still red from the heat, and I was completely wiped—just relieved that everyone was settled.
And then came Day One of the empty nest. It wasn’t pretty.
I made the mistake of going into their rooms to look for forgotten items requested to be shipped ASAP. I do not recommend this. Too soon.
I plopped into my chair with tea and tears, staring out the window at birds I had never really stopped to notice before. I didn’t really appreciate the beautiful robins and blue jays around here.
After a few minutes of this, I thought…wait. Do I watch birds now? Oh, the irony of the empty nest.
The house is quieter. The calendar is still filled with weekend college events and travel, but it really opens up. And you’re left figuring out what this next version of your life looks like.
Empty nesting isn’t something you can fully prepare for, but it is something you can learn to embrace…and maybe even get a little excited about.
It’s okay to miss the chaos, the noise, the sleepovers, the massive shoe pileup by the front door—even the laundry (okay, maybe not the laundry).
It’s also okay to wallow a bit, grab a snack, and slow down for a while. Notice the birds. But then, pivot. Because while the day-to-day of parenting shifts, the role itself doesn’t go away—it simply evolves. They text, they call, and, most importantly… they come home (usually with laundry).
What a perfect article that will resonate with countless mom’s! While I still have one home in the nest and it’s not quite empty- I felt all the feels reading this. You beautifully captured all the emotions wrapped up in one article!
Yup, time to hang some bird feeders! I read recently that you aren’t an empty nester until the kids take all of their stuff…um, does that ever actually happen!? Somehow their rooms look more full than ever!😂
So much to look forward to in all the seasons of our lives. I feel this deeply with one year left before my son is college bound. While I want him to be close I also want him to push his boundaries and become the man he is meant to be. Thanks for the great read!