EY Y03 L12 Empty Nesters

Do you live in a 3 generation household? If no, how many generations do you live with? There are many advantages to living in 3 generation households, name one.
There are many disadvantages. Name one.
Have you ever lived alone? If yes, explain how that felt at first compared to living as part of a family. If no, do you think you are the kind of person who would enjoy and be good at living alone? Why?
Empty nesters are individuals or couples whose children have grown and left home but who stay in the family home rather than downsize. Tell us about an empty nester who you know (it can be your parent(s), a friend, a colleague or a family friend). How many kids were there in the family home before the kids left? When did the last kid move out? Did they react well or badly to becoming an empty nester? Why?
There are many things that empty nesters can do that they couldn't do when they were still looking after children. Name something that Japanese empty nesters often get involved in.
Have you become an empty nester? If yes, how do you feel about that? Is it 'freedom at last!' or do you feel lonely now that your kids have moved out? If no, how do you think you would feel?

Question 1

I used to live with my parents but we visited my grandparents quite often. It was really nice to be able to see my grandparents. They often liked to spoil the grandkids, buying us treats all the time.

Question 2

I think it can get difficult sometimes when my parents would argue with my grandparents. They come from different generations and have very different views on things.

Question 3

I absolutely love living alone. I have been happy since the first moment I moved away from my parents. Everyone in my family has strong personalities and many different opinons so we often argue about trivial things. I love my parents but they can be too overbearing and I love being independent too much. I'm the only one that has moved out of my parents' home. My older brother and younger sister still live with them.

Question 4

My best friend's parents are empty nesters. She said that her parents became closer when she and her brother moved out. She moved out the same time I did, back in 2018. I think at first they felt lonely, but she would visit them often. And eventually they spent more time together and even made more investments in property together. They made a new house in Manila and bought some farm land in the countryside so they kept themselves busy too!

Question 5

In the Philippines, many parents expect at least one of their children to stay home with them through their senior years to care for them. But, in my family, that isn't something we normally do. I think most of the parents of my friends who are empty nesters either travel more or find ways to get busy like start their own business or upgrade their house and make it more comfortable for their retirement.

Question 6

I don't intend to have children so I don't think I'll ever know what it feels like to be an empty nester. But, in the case of my parents, for example, I think they'll have fun at first and travel a lot but will miss us and be sad for a bit. Then they'll probably look for other ways to keep themselves busy and be okay. I also think they will eventually move to a smaller home which will be easier for them to manage.