Now we’re just a nation of HENs...

... that’s Happy Empty Nester mothers who can have a great time loving life without the children

THE day the children move out of home and start a life of their own is a milestone that many mothers dread. Or do they?

Far from rattling about their empty nest, most women f i nd themselves enjoying their new freedom and savouring the pleasure of having their home to themselves.

No one raiding the fridge, piling up washing or coming in at all hours seems to have a way of soothing maternal feelings of loss.

Researchers surveying mothers who had waved their children off gave them the title ‘Happy Empty Nesters’ – or HENs.

One in seven mothers said they were not as upset as they thought they would be after their children flew the nest and a third said they were ‘ r el axed’ about t he life change.

The overwhelming majority said they were delighted to see their offspring gaining some independence.

Only a quarter of those polled were sad or extremely upset when their children moved out – and fewer than one in ten felt nervous about how their youngsters would cope, the research from retailer Cotton Traders revealed.

Shona Jameson, of Cotton Traders, said: ‘When your children leave home, it always brings huge practical and emotional changes – but, as this research shows, for an increasing number of British women that is often a positive thing.

‘For HENs, it’s often the start of an exciting new chapter in their lives as they get ready to enjoy reclaiming their home and revitalising their relationship.’

The main reason given by women for embracing ‘HEN-dom’ was the ability to enjoy more ‘adult time’, including romantic dinners with a part- ner. One- fifth of the 3,500 women questioned said they were excited about having more ‘spontaneous’ fun with their other half without their children getting in the way.

Having the house to themselves was another reason to celebrate being a HEN – a third said their home was now a ‘calmer place’.

Mothers said they had less clearing up to do and one in five said they loved the fact that rooms stayed clean and tidy for longer. One in eight also enjoyed not having to cook big family dinners.

Others said regaining control over what they watch on television was the best thing about their new child-free status.

Their delight at waving goodbye to their children could be linked to the age at which their brood leaves home.

The rise of the so- called ‘boomerang generation’ means many adults are still living with their parents well into their twenties and thirties.

A recent study found grownup children who are still in their family home are living the ‘life of Riley’ while unknowingly pushing their parents into debt.

These stay-at-home adults are placing their parents under serious financial pressure by staying in the family home.

Experts have warned that parents should not be afraid to ask their children for rent and money towards household bills amid fears the British ‘stiff upper lip’ makes them reluctant to admit they need help.

Debt management specialist PayPlan said a third of parents who have grown-up children l i ving at home have been forced to take out a loan to meet the costs of housing and feeding them.

But half of those parents say they still refuse to ask their children to contribute to the household finances.

‘An exciting new chapter’