b'goodPOINT THE GOOD PEOPLE FLY HIGH LITTLE BIRDIES atgoodLIFEfamily "Selfhood begins with a walking away, and love is proved in the letting go." PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARKETING TEAM -Cecil Day-Lewis Sheryl Lilly PidgeonMichael TinglinSheryl@goodlifefamilymag.comChief Marketing OfficerI am an Empty Nester.There, I said it.TheDirect: 214.476.8131Michael@goodlifefamilymag.comPidgeon kids have all flown the coop and goneMANAGING EDITOR Sarah Billmanoff to college boom, boom, boom. I officially haveTricia WhiteMarketing & Sponsorships ManagerTricia@goodlifefamilymag.comSarah@goodlifefamilymag.coma junior, a sophomore and, as of last month, a freshman.For years, IveDirect: 214.725.1981 been listening to friends whove survived the change, and of course IBill Brockhave been privy to numerous articles from experts on this very topic onFASHION & STYLE EDITORIT Specialist/VideographyElle Parks Bill@whiterockfilms.comthe pages of this magazine.But, this is personal. No amount of planningElle@goodlifefamilymag.com could actually prepare me for experiencing it firsthand, and I find myselfSOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER wondering, Where did the time go?CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katherine IngramJennifer Melton Katherine@goodlifefamilymag.comDropping my youngest off at college last month made the emptinessJennifer@goodlifefamilymag.com official.I am no longer the hands-on mom Ive been for 21 years, dealingADVERTISING TEAMwiththeday-to-dayresponsibilitiesofparentinglikepackinglunches,COPY EDITORS Sarah BillmanAudra GlidewellAdvertisingManager attending school events, and hosting dinners and sleepovers for a gaggle ofTracy Graivier Bell Advertising@goodlifefamilymag.comteens.While I am coping with the physical separation, I am also incrediblyDirect: 972.672.0411excited for each of my chicks to have left the nest, and Im so proud of theirWRITERSLisa BeachSALES TEAMability, desire and fortitude to fly head-on into whatever comes next. Karyn Brodsky Nadia LoudonTrue to each of my childrens personalities, they each experienced leavingKristin CicciarelliNadia@goodlifefamilymag.comthe nest in their own way. And, since I know them almost as well as theyTonia Cowling Direct: 214.226.3626Barbara Glassknow themselves, I was not surprised by their reactions, but they may haveChrista Melnyk Hines Jan Williamsbeen surprised by mine! While I was wistful and full of last-minute advice,Deb Silverthorn jan@goodlifefamilymag.comI willed myself not to cry. (This from the girl who gets misty-eyed at aAlicia WanekDirect: 214.808.6241Maxwell House commercial.) Why did I intentionally bid farewell to my kids dry-eyed? 1) I wanted them to know they were fine. JOIN OUR FAMILY!2) I wanted them to know Id be fine.IfIweretofallapart,thatmightcausethemtothink theybeartheGood Life Family has opportunities for tenured responsibility for my sadness and could compromise the possibility ofAdvertising Account Executives. For more information, them finding happiness and independence.email Tricia@goodlifefamilymag.com.Understandably, I know less about my childrens daily liveswhere they are and what they\'re doing at any given moment, but I wont allow myselfABOUT USto share my anxiety with them.I cant call or drop in whenever I feel like it.I have to give them the space to become independent and to call homeThere are two things parents hope to give their children: roots and wings. or come visit because they want tonot to appease me. I want them to askBut its often hard to know if the decisions were making are the right ones, especially when the world is changing so quickly. Good Life Family is a resource my opinion because they respect my input, not because I said so.I wantfor parents with kids tweens to twenties.them to spread their wings, so they can explore their passions and discoverExtensive and insightful content addresses the daily joys and struggles of their purpose in the world.finding a balance between kids and parents while keeping ourselves sane in So, yes, I am discovering my new day-to-day life in an empty nest. I amthe process. Youll meet inspiring women and men who have stared down lifes working hard to find the balance between letting my kids know they arechallenges, survived, and now are willing to share their journey with you.deeply missed while not passing the weight of my sadness on to them.IGood Life Family is committed to making a difference in the lives of our dont want to burden them with my apprehension, I wont clip their wingsfamilies, friends and communities as the go-to source.to keep them from flying too high or in a different direction than myWere living, were learning, and most importantly, were laughing. husband and I expected, and I am comforted knowing that I have sent myWe hope you will too. children on their way fully prepared to soar. On the pages that follow, youll find valuable tips and sound advice forCONTACT USnavigating the inevitable twists and turns ahead, fun ideas for how toSUBSCRIBE FOR FREE:GoodLifeFamilyMag.com/subscribeenjoy the cooler autumn weather and meet some inspiring locals who areADVERTISE:Advertising@goodlifefamilymag.commaking a global impact. And, if you too find yourself in the Empty NestSUBMIT STORY IDEAS: Tricia@goodlifefamilymag.comClub, lets find a patio and a bottle of wine- Sheryl GOOD LIFE FAMILY 3308 PRESTON ROAD, STE 350 PMB #113 LIVE. LEARN. LAUGH.(SOAR!)REPEAT. PLANO, TX 75093 10GoodLifeFamilyMag.comSEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2019 goodLIFEfamilymag.com'