The Empty Nest
As their children move out for college and work, Rahul and Priya adjust to a quieter home and rediscover time for each other.
Key words and phrases
Useful sentences
- Ask How are you both adjusting to the empty nest?
- Answer It's quiet, but we're slowly getting used to it.
- Ask Do you miss having the kids around?
- Answer Yes, it's bittersweet, but we're proud of them.
- Ask How do you stay connected with them?
- Answer We have a video call every Sunday evening.
- Ask Have you picked up any new hobbies?
- Answer Yes, I've started gardening, and Rahul is reading more.
- Ask How do you spend your quality time now?
- Answer We go for evening walks and talk a lot more.
- Ask What did you do with the kids' spare rooms?
- Answer We turned one into a study and kept the other as it was.
- Ask Do you still worry about them living alone?
- Answer Sometimes, but we're learning to let go.
- Ask Have you planned a second honeymoon yet?
- Answer Yes, we're going to Goa next month.
- Ask What has felt most fulfilling about this new routine?
- Answer Rediscovering each other, honestly.
- Ask Was letting go of the kids a difficult milestone for you?
- Answer It was, but seeing their independence made it worthwhile.
Dialogue
PriyaThe house feels so quiet now that both kids have moved out.
RahulIt's bittersweet, isn't it? I'm proud of them, but I miss the noise.
PriyaMaybe we should rediscover things we used to enjoy together.
RahulThat's a great idea. How about we plan a trip, just the two of us?
PriyaI'd love that. This feels like a new chapter for us.
RahulLet's make the most of this quality time together.
PriyaI was also thinking we could turn Aarav's spare room into a proper study.
RahulGood idea. It's a milestone in its own way, isn't it?
PriyaIt is. I still worry about them sometimes, but I'm learning to let go.
RahulWe both are. And honestly, reconnecting with you has been the most fulfilling part.
Common mistakes
- Saying "empty nest syndrome" and "empty nest" interchangeably without context — syndrome specifically refers to the emotional difficulty, while empty nest describes the life stage itself.
- Saying "adjust with the situation" instead of "adjust to the situation."
- Saying "we feel bittersweet" instead of "it feels bittersweet" when describing a mixed emotion about an event.
- Saying "reconnect with" and "connect with" as if they mean the same thing — "reconnect" implies a relationship that had grown distant.
- Saying "worry for someone" instead of "worry about someone."
- Saying "let go the kids" instead of "let go of the kids" — the preposition "of" cannot be dropped.
Quick quiz
1. What does "empty nest" refer to?
2. A mix of happiness and sadness at the same time is called ___.
3. Complete: "This felt like a new ___ for both of them."
4. What does "letting go" mean in this context?
5. Complete: "They planned a ___ to Goa."
6. An important stage or event in life is called a ___.
Practise speaking and listening
The free Day to Day English app turns every lesson into practice with audio, a story you follow and more than 1680 words to learn.