When the children fly the coop, it can be hard on Mom and Dad. A once hectic home can give way to quiet moments and even loneliness. Here are some book selections to help with empty nest syndrome.

From Mom to Me Again: How I Survived My First Empty-Nest Year and Reinvented the Rest of My Life by Melissa Shultz

Part-memoir and part self-help, From Mom to Me Again shares the struggles Melissa Shultz experienced when her children left home. She needed to transform her life, marriage, friendships, career and even herself to find her own happiness. Funny and practical, moms will find advice they need before sending their kids out into the world.

Release My Grip: Hope for a Parent’s Heart as Kids Leave the Nest and Learn to Fly by Kami Gilmour

This keepsake and journal was written by popular blogger of SoulFeed, Kami Gilmour. A practical place to journal as you learn to let go of your children, this book will help parents during what can be a difficult time of life. Chapters include uplifting scripture, reflection questions to consider and challenges to help you adjust to your new normal.

My Nest Isn’t Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space: The Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman by Lisa Scottoline with Francesca Scottoline Serritella

Written by a mother-daughter duo, family secrets are shared in this entertaining book which also features Lisa Scottoline’s mother, aka Mother Mary, who will not let go of a 30-year-old bra and thinks that eating outside with bugs is a travesty. You’ll be rolling in laughter as these authors discuss everything from blind dates, carbohydrates and addictions to wedding announcements.

Barbara and Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion, and Your Next Great Adventure by Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates

Authors Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates know a thing or two about being empty nesters. While there is excitement in this new time, there is also profound grief, and even though the job of Mom is lifelong, there are changes that come with it. Answering questions about being needed, how your marriage changes and how to relate to your grown children, this book will help readers learn to thrive in their empty nest.

Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents by Jane Isay

A perfect read for parents and their grown children, Walking on Eggshells offers advice and wisdom on keeping the relationship intact during the phase when children are experiencing their own adulthood. Jane Isay interviewed parents and children from ages 25 to 70 to bring this insightful book to readers. Learn to stay connected to the people who matter most in your life in this helpful book on navigating important relationships.

Finding Joy in the Empty Nest by Jim Burns

Finding Joy in the Empty Nest is a book that offers guidance on navigating life as an empty nester. Jim Burns shares personal experiences and his expertise as a family educator to help readers find joy in this new season of life. The book provides practical advice on reinventing oneself, improving relationships with children, and facing big issues such as aging parents, finances, and kids returning home. Throughout the book, Burns encourages readers to live with passion and embrace the idea that the best is yet to come.

She’s Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst

Chrystal Evans Hurst shares her own story of feeling lost and disconnected from the life she intended to live, in hopes of encouraging other women who may be feeling the same. She emphasizes the importance of personal reflection and being intentional about one’s hopes and dreams, which is important for those feeling the emptiness of their children leaving home. Chrystal acknowledges that poor decisions and a lack of planning can lead women to feel lost or numb, and offers support and guidance for finding direction and purpose. Through her own vulnerable moments, she reminds readers that they are not alone and encourages them to authentically share their journey with others.

Empty Nest, Full Pockets: How to Emotionally and Financially Prepare For Your Family’s Future by Matt Meline

A guidebook that offers expert advice from financial coach Matt Meline on preparing for the transition to becoming an empty nester. The book helps parents navigate the financial uncertainties that come with having college-bound children and provides creative strategies for paying tuition while still saving for retirement. Readers will also learn how to balance staying engaged in their children’s lives while encouraging independence and confidence, as well as how to reevaluate their financial priorities and living arrangements. This helpful guide is perfect for parents who want to set their family up for a successful future.

What a Time to Be Alone by Chidera Eggerue

A guide to help you realize that being alone is not just okay, but one of the best things that can happen to you. With insightful Igbo proverbs from Chidera’s Nigerian mother and her own artwork, this book offers a three-part approach filled with sass, wisdom, and charm. It shows you how to celebrate yourself, decide your self-worth, avoid other people’s demons, and grow healthy relationships while avoiding toxicity in your friendships. Own your story, create your own narrative, and navigate the modern world with this empowering book.

HappiNest: Finding Fulfillment When Your Kids Leave Home by Judy Holland

Judy Holland helps readers navigate the transition to an empty nest with grace. Drawing from social science research and interviews with seasoned empty nesters, Holland provides tips and tools for managing the emotions and realities of this new life stage. Whether you’re seeking a renaissance in your romantic relationship, dealing with a boomerang child at home, or figuring out how to support aging parents, this book is for you. HappiNest explores a variety of challenges that arise when the house is suddenly empty or emptying and provides a roadmap to help readers create the most golden phase of their lives.