I may start voluntering in a hospital or nursing home, become a support worker or foster more children.

Yes I am in this situation now my eldest daughter just recently got married and my youngest has decided to move in with her boyfriend, plus losing my dad just recently has send us a little crazy we are like lost souls at the moment

With overseas travel now so uncertain I’m unsure what my husband and I will do. Probably some sort of sport like bowls or croquet.

It’s definitely an adjustment when the kids move out and you stop working. Just one or the other is difficult, let alone both together. But you’ll work it out

My husband and I plan to travel overseas.

I used to think I would enjoy it when kids left home. Then it happened and I don’t enjoy it at all. Hubby needs to find a hobby

See what happens as often opportunities present themselves when least expected. Doing charity work is a great way to start and make new friends who have similar interests too, or take a trip to somewhere you have not been and explore together, or ask him if there is something he would like to learn but never had the time.

Kids are the greatest joy in your lives! However the time comes when they leave home and make their own lives. This is a time in your lives when you can do whatever you want, Hubby and I enjoy going to the movies and holding hands and having a choc top each. That is pretty wonderful after 45 years of marriage. Or you can travel when your hubby retires! Have you got a hobby? I love doing lots of knitting , crocheting and looming as well as playing the piano and the electric organ. I love making hats for the kiddies in hospital that are having chemotherapy. There are so many things you will be able to do when your daughter leaves home. Hubby and I tried golf. He was bored to tears. He is a volunteer with the local CFA. That keeps him busy at times [ a lot] too.

take each day as it comes! when he does retire, he will have the time to see what he likes. He could join clubs, take up woodworking, gardening etc. Keep active by walking around and discovering the neighbourhood. Spend time with extended family. Travel. He might like to learn computers (if he doesn’t already) then he can read articles, learn about things, do competitions, stay in touch with people, learn what hobbies he would like to try etc. If he is good at his hobby, you could always get him to do markets and sell his wares. Whatever it is that you two decide to do in retirement, enjoy it.

travel!! but ill be working til im 65 at this rate lol

It will be a time of adjustment, mens sheds are everywhere now, check with your local council and it is somewhere that you can send your husband at least once a week, we had the same issue but the opposite in that Hubby was home, and I stopped working, he had his routine and he used to do all the prep for meals, etc, now we prepare meals together, he potters in his shed, paints things that don’t need painting, make the time for trips away, go out for dinner, fish and chips at the beach with the seagulls is something we enjoy for lunch on a nice day, but honestly after the initial adjusting we don’t know how we fitted work in, And don’t want to dampen your enthusiasm but we still have two 26 year olds that come and go so even though they are independent to a degree, we still have their washing and I cook for them frequently. they don’t move out as early as you would like!!! enjoy your retirement

You need to have mutual interests, and things that you do individually. You both have to adjust to your husband being home 7 days a week, not just parts of days and weekends.
Then could be the time for travelling if that is one of your plans. Do it while you are both healthy enough to do it. If you don’t want to stay in Motel accomodation or tow a caravan, in some towns there is ensuite caravans or cabins you can hire. It is my understanding that they supply bed linen. Another way of travelling is coach tours. No wear&tear on your vehicle. Some have hostesses on them as well as Coach captains (drivers). That way you can both watch the scenery, not have your “eyes on the road” all the time and miss out. Those that run for a few days have accomodation and some meals included in the charges. Your luggage is taken to your room and collected from outside your room in the morning. The only drawback with them is that you may want spend more or less time at a place that they have time to allow for. Tour Companies often have access to places that the general public travelling individually doesn’t. Entry Fees to various “things” are included in your fares. Some include airfares in the price.

That is something to think about its it.. We are finding that my husband and I have a bit more time on our hands at the moment and we are loving it but not really doing things together so much as doing the things we like and having time to talk or go out for dinner