Barbara and Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion, and Your Next Great Adventure

by Barbara Rainey, Susan Yates

Overview

Discover New Passion and Purpose after the Kids Leave Home

Many women approaching their empty-nest years do so with mixed emotions—feeling grief for what is no more but also excitement for what lies ahead. Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates are seasoned empty nesters, and they know firsthand the ups and downs, the uncertainty and challenges that accompany this new stage of life.

Although Mom is a lifelong role, the job description changes significantly when the kids are grown. Questions abound: Who am I now? How do I relate to my kids? How will my marriage be affected? Where am I needed? Every woman in this stage needs to determine her own redefined role as wife, mother, friend, and more. Offering practical advice and biblical guidance, along with inspiring personal stories of women who have discovered how to live a meaningful life during the "second half," Barbara and Susan help you work out how to flourish and thrive in your own empty nests.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441230980
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/04/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	NOOK Book
Pages:	256
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Barbara Rainey and her husband, Dennis, are founders of the Campus Crusade ministry FamilyLife, and they host Weekend to Remember conferences around the world. They have authored more than two dozen books, including the bestselling Moments Together for Couples. The Raineys have been married for more than forty years and live near Little Rock, Arkansas. Learn more at www.familylifetoday.com and www.everthinehome.com.

Susan Yates is the author of several books and is a regular guest on FamilyLife Today and other national radio programs. She and her husband, John, are popular speakers at marriage and parenting conferences and live in Virginia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 11

Part 1 We're in This Together 13

1 Who in the World Are Barbara and Susan? 15

2 Am I the Only One Who Feels This Way? 23

Karen's Story 34

Part 2 Let's Get Honest 37

3 What Do I Do With My Loneliness? 39

Helen's Story 51

4 What Do I Do With My Disappointments? 53

Julia's Story 69

5 How Do I Relate to My Husband Now? 71

Maggie's Story 91

6 How Do I Relate to My Adult Kids Now? 93

Ann's Story 113

7 How Do I Care for My Extended Family? 115

Christie's Story 129

8 What Do I Do With Me? 131

Your Story 141

Part 3 Let's Move Forward 145

9 Take a Break! 147

Debbie's Story 165

10 Celebrate1 167

Tracy's Story 180

11 Discovering Your New Purpose 183

Elaine and Bob's Story 197

12 Changing Your World 199

Epilogue: Barbara and Susan Today 207

Appendix 1 Helpful Hints for Caring for Your Parents and In-Laws As They Age 211

Appendix 2 Helpful Hints for Growing in a Relationship With Christ 215

Appendix 3 A Daily Focus on the Character of God 219

Appendix 4 Values Assessment Exercise 223

Small Group and Book Club Study Guide 225

Notes 245