About Me

About me 

Hi there, my name’s Natalie!

Growing Closer To The Empty Nest is a personal blog for anyone walking the path toward the empty nest and beyond. Here, I’ll be sharing stories, insight, emotions, advice, tips, and recommendations drawn from my own experience—and inspired by yours. Whether you reach out with questions, passions, or your own parenting story, my hope is to create a space that encourages and inspires you through every stage of parenthood.

I’ll try my best to keep things positive and upbeat—but let’s be real: parenting isn’t all sunshine and smiles. It can be messy, dark, and lonely sometimes, and I won’t shy away from those moments either.

It’s only fair I tell you a little about myself, too.

I’m 34 years old and have lived in a small fishing town on the Angus coast in Scotland my entire life. I’m a single mum to two wonderful girls—Amy (17) and Kyla-Anne (16)—who keep my world spinning.

I co-parent with their dad, who now lives in England. We shared a home for 13 years before separating in early 2019. As the girls grow older, our need to coordinate has naturally become less frequent.

"we dont take life to seriously in this family"

Amy flew the nest in 2024 to study at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. She was just 16 when she started and was the youngest student accepted that year. She began studying business marketing but is now switching to psychology to follow her passion for helping others.

Kyla-Anne left secondary school in October 2024, realizing that the traditional school system wasn’t the right fit for her. Since then, she’s been working with the Angus Skills and Employability team, gaining qualifications and experience through a 12-week paid work placement at a local canine and cattery kennel.

These days, it’s just Kyla and me at home—plus Peach, our 16-month-old Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. She’s a handful but has brought so much life and chaos (the good kind!) into our home.

I will soon be returning to work, after a few tough years navigating mental health challenges I took time off to focus on me. In 2021, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and sensory processing disorder, and in December 2024, I was also diagnosed with ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a rollercoaster—with some laughs and more than a few tears—but I’m still standing, still growing, and still finding purpose.

Before stepping back from work, I spent 12 years in the care sector. I began as a care assistant and domestic housekeeper, then spent a decade in early years education across both private and public settings. Most of my time was dedicated to supporting children with additional needs—something I’m deeply passionate about. I truly believe I was made to work with children, and I am excited to be returning to that field, continuing to grow and help shape how we support young people.

In my downtime, I love reading, binge-watching crime dramas, dabbling in crafts (even if I rarely finish them).

So that’s me—now I’d love to hear from you.

Tell me about yourself, your family, and your nest. Let’s connect and grow closer together.