Seeking Advice: Feeling Unneeded by Our Children at 60

Dear Society Members,

My name is Zoey, and alongside my husband, Eric, we have recently faced a troubling realization. As we stepped into our sixties, it dawned on us that our presence seems somewhat redundant in the lives of our children, James, George, and Sadie. This has left us feeling somewhat adrift, questioning our roles and the next steps we should take.

For years, our lives revolved around our children’s needs, from their schooling days to supporting them through various life challenges. Now, as they have grown into independent adults, our interactions have dwindled, and our advice seems no longer sought after. This shift has been gradual but noticeable, leaving us with a profound sense of emptiness and redundancy.

We are reaching out to this community to ask for your insights and advice. Why does this distancing happen? Is it a natural part of life that we should simply accept and adjust to? How have others in similar situations coped with these feelings? Should we take this as a cue to start focusing more on our own lives and interests, perhaps rediscovering aspects of ourselves that were put aside while raising our family?

We are at a crossroads and deeply value any perspectives or experiences you could share that might help us navigate this new phase of our lives.

Thank you for reading and for any advice you might offer.

Warm regards,

Zoey and Eric