Thursday, August 19, 2021

Empty Nesters Pandey's - A new reality

I have written about our days at home before Anand left for a program for the year on my blog. The program is designed to teach him independent living skills as well as social skills. 

The pandemic changed everyone’s life and ours wasn’t an exception. The three Pandeys still managed okay because we had our work and online social life and met people on and off with social distancing as we had our circle already in place. Anand was finishing his program at Accept Collaborative and was ready to take the next step, planning to join Bridgewater State University’s MAICE program designed for kids with needs to give them the college experience. The application process was going on, he got accepted in March and right away everything went downhill.

 Anand did join the program but it was online for him, same as everything else in the world. No-one adjusted willingly to this new world but it was particularly hard for him. He had left his known social circle in Accept and gone to a new program which was online. So the last 18 months were difficult , seeing him spending time  playing games and watching videos, only doing one class online in the fall semester and in spring one on campus but with no added college experience. 


This year this program brings us hope and excitement. Anand will have an experience like everyone else who starts college or living independently.

The mother in me is hopeful and nervous. We are back home, trying to adjust to a new reality. Both the boys bedroom doors are open, curtains pulled away and it’s just a quiet home. The fridge is not over flowing and meals are quick and easy. 

I am planning to use this time to do things I haven’t done before.

For now I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping the Universe will be kind to both my boys.








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