What's Up, Doc? Dealing With the Empty Nest

By Randall Freeman, PhD

Summer is a great time to reflect upon the school year past and the year to come. My wife Karen teaches first grade and I teach kindergarten. Sarah, Holly, and Megan have completed middle school and will be heading to Paloma Valley High School in August. Big sister Daniela graduated from high school and will be traveling to the University of Toronto to begin her college career in September.

Each year brings new excitement and new challenges in the classroom. Last year’s students will be heading on to the next grade level, leaving us to worry about how they will manage without us to help them. There is an annual "empty nest syndrome", but the reassurances of the teacher next door help us to reduce our concerns and begin concentrating on the next group of children. They begin as permanent members of our extended family. When they return to say hello, we rejoice and realize that they are going to be fine.

With our first daughter heading off to another country for her college experience, there exists a similar yet different feeling of the empty nest. We have no teachers to reassure us and the emotional tie is much stronger. I know how Karen will react; she has spoken of it many times. I’m not certain how I will react until the time is at hand. It is a brand new experience for me. I am concerned but I trust my daughter to take care of herself.

Meanwhile, while still in Menifee and living at home, Sarah, Holly, and Megan will be heading to a new school, Paloma Valley High School. Our babies are starting high school! I believe that I know how I will react to this experience. In this, Karen will be calmer than I will be. The male stereotype demands that I stand stoic but this is not me. My saving grace is that there is safety in numbers and I trust the high school district leadership to keep our girls safe.

I have a quiet week because Sarah, Holly, and Megan are in New York with their teacher from Bell Mountain, Mrs. Tortoreti. I suppose that I should be grateful for the lack of chaos, but the reverse is true. It is too quiet, allowing me the time to reflect upon the days to come. My conclusion? Bring on the chaos!

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his lovely wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the proud parents of four beautiful daughters: Daniela, 18, and 14-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Other family members include dogs Scruffy, Mikko, & Max, 17-year-old cat Hunter, and turtle Tuttles. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. Randy has wisely decided to delete the bit about being Karen's boss in order to continue living in his happy home.