Oct 8, 2008 3:00 pm US/Eastern
Philadelphia Magazine: Empty Nesters
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
This time of year, with kids off to college, some women
are facing the empty nest for the first time. That topic is Philadelphia
Magazine's cover story this month. Stay-at-home moms asking themselves "Now
What"? It's an identity crisis that can start even before children leave home.
CBS 3's Pat Ciarrocchi has the story.
It's the average day for lots of mothers. Get the children
off to school and be there when they come home. But what happens in between?
"Those trips to the bus stop and back everyday, it left me
unsure, it was like what now," said 44 year old Suzy Stauffer.
After 16 years of marriage and 3 children Suzy had put
career thoughts on the backburner. The Glen Mills woman says she threw herself
into motherhood.
"I had kind of lost touch of who I was and I kind of let
the body go," said Suzy.
And then one morning as she sent the children off to
school Suzy had a shocking reality check.
"I was talking to a friend at the bus stop and she said she
wears her pajamas to the bus stop," Suzy said laughing. "I thought, I can't
believe we've done that as women."
Her friend told her not to worry because she had clothes
for beyond the bus stop.
When Suzy heard that the light bulb came on! She started exercising and got back in shape.
There was a dramatic physical change but something else happened.
"I started to gain confidence again," said a beaming Suzy.
She began working as a freelance TV producer.
"I do that while the kids are in school," she explained.
And she started an online support group called Beyond The
Bus Stop to coach other moms.
"The first thing, they need to think about what brings
them joy, what excites them and where are their interests," said Suzy.
She adds. "And find a job that you can fit in between when
the kids get on the bus and the kids come back home again."
And when the school day is over and the kids come home?
Suzy lays out her philosophy.
"If mom's happy everyone's happy. If you're feeling good
about yourself the kids pick up that energy."
Links:
Beyond the bus stop
Http://www.Beyondthebusstop.Com/index.Html
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