This expression has always had a negative connotation to me, until recently.
I have been reflecting on my relationships with my children lately, since our quality time together will be forever altered. By the end of the summer my husband and I will have a true empty nest. Not the college-years-empty nest where the kids come home for long periods of time and are still dependent on us, but the kind of empty nest where they begin their independent lives with “their” people and, most likely, will never live under our roof again.
I think we all strive to raise our kids with what we feel we may not have gotten and in my case it’s sensitivity. As a kid I was often told by my well-meaning parents that I was, “too sensitive.” Feelings weren’t really processed much and I was raised with a “stiff-upper-lip-turn-the other-cheek” attitude. As a preteen and well into my twenties, I was one big confused raw emotion and I felt emotionally fragile most of the time. Through much soul searching, life experiences and self-acceptance, I have grown into my sensitivity and actually think it’s one of my best qualities.
While raising my children I’ve always acknowledged what and how they were feeling and how their interactions with others impacted those around them. We didn’t shy away from openly discussing how we all felt, no matter how difficult it may have been at times.
My children are sensitive, compassionate adults, and I get to “reap what I’ve sown.” I may not have gotten the sensitivity that I craved as a child but in fostering it in my children, I’m getting it twofold.
by Adella
Be All There 
I love this Jeanne and can so relate! As you know, I am very (painfully) sensitive and have passed that onto my daughter. I always feel badly about this as I know how hard it can be to be a sensitive child, and Madison definitely struggles with it, breaking my heart each time. But, maybe now I can begin to see it as a positive. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the empty nest! I feel like your kids will be missing their mama necessitating frequent visits home!
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Thanks Beth! I think sensitivity is a positive trait and leads to more meaningful relationships, especially when it’s understood and supported, as is the case with you and your girls. Lucky them!
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I was raised the same way Jeanne, I believe that’s just the way it was with our parent’s generation. Maybe they just didn’t have the luxury of expressing feelings and emotions, as it was mostly paying the bills, feeding the family, keeping the household above water. Sensitivity, back in the day, was seen as more of a weakness than a strength. Fortunately, through our lives’ experiences, we see it differently, as do our children and as will our children’s children, and that’s a good thing. I’ll never trust someone who is not sensitive, all my best friends are, and you are one of them. xo
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Thanks Trudi and very well said! We are definitely a product of what was going on in our parent’s generation and they had to worry about things we (luckily) are able to take for granted today. I’m lucky to have you as one of my best friends. xox
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