The day a child moves away from home is always emotional. It’s exciting to be going to college, a new living space or off on an adventure. It’s a little sad, too, especially for the mama staying behind, to say good-bye to a little nestling as they spread their wings and leave home.

They will be back, I know.  Once they move out, though, they don’t live with us the same way again. When they return, it feels more like a visit. Even if they move back for a longer period, there is a different dynamic. They have lived on their own and don’t want to be treated like a child.

When they leave, I’m not sentimental  about the space they vacated. Either a sibling moves in, claiming the better room, or the room is repurposed, maybe becoming an office or guest room. The rooms and furniture get shuffled around, and personal belongings that don’t go with the one moving out are boxed up and stored in the garage.

This might sound a little harsh, but I’m not trying to kick them out or keep them away–I sometimes wish they could stay here forever. I started doing it this way when the first few moved out, because it was necessary to shift and shuffle in order to use our space better. Now that we’re down to just three in the house, we have a new development: extra room.

It doesn’t stay empty for long, though. Opportunities to share our extra space come up often–friends visiting or in town on business, grandparents coming for a football game or graduation,  aunts and uncles and cousins here for holidays or just passing through–to name a few.

My favorite times are when the house is full with all my babies home, tucked into bed warm and safe, all of us together. I want them to know that no matter how far away they go, this is their home. They always have a place here–it just may not be the same place every time. Sometimes, it might be on the couch.

I hope the love of the family embraces and restores them when they come home, no matter which room they set down their suitcase and nestle into bed.