Former “Dancing With the Stars” host Brooke Burke is the mother of adult children. But even so, she doesn’t consider herself an “empty nester” and doesn’t want anyone else in her situation to do so either.
In a heartfelt new Instagram post, Burke reflected on motherhood and how she was about to embark on a new chapter of life.
Brooke Burke’s Daughter Is Spreading Her Wings
Brooke Burke shares her oldest daughters, Neriah and Sierra, with one ex-husband, Garth Fisher. She shares her younger two children, daughter Rain and son Shaya, with another ex, David Charvet.
As the back-to-school season continues, Burke acknowledged that her daughter, Rain, is moving out to begin her own adult life.
“Oh what shall I do now? The house will be different. We will be different. When my 4th child moved out, I surprised myself. This weekend I do it again…” the former “Dancing With the Stars” host penned a beautiful Instagram post.
“I knew this was coming,” she continued. “I had done this before but different. Every child takes a different piece of your heart. Every goodbye introduces you to a different version of yourself. This time I’m trying to realize…
I’m not grieving the end of motherhood. I am grieving the woman I have been for 19 years. And the little girl she was.”
The model went on to describe how children spend 18 years at home, “borrowing” strength from their parents. But when they leave, they carry the best parts of their parents with them. She ended the piece by encouraging other parents of adult children to alter their inner narratives. Burke added that she prefers the term “open nester” over “empty nester.”
“Let your heart and world open. 🤍❤️🩹👯♀️” Brooke Burke concluded.
Fans React to the Model’s Touching Post
Brooke Burke’s Instagram post overwhelmingly resonated with her audience. Many other parents chimed in, noting they fully understood the feeling of letting their children out into the real world.
“Awe!! It’s so bittersweet!” one kind fan wrote in the comments. “You’re so beautiful inside and out and your children have been so blessed to have you as their mother!! It’s their next chapter as well as yours❤️ Sending you a gigantic hug with so much love my friend!🙌😘”
“This is so beautifully said, ❤️” another viewer chimed in. “It’s so hard when our babies leave the nest. I’ve been an empty nester for quite a while now, and I miss them terribly and worry about them all the time. But I’m also so proud of them and happy for them that they have made successful lives for themselves. Sending you so much love in this new season of life ❤️”
Fans wish the best for Brooke Burke as she navigates these complicated feelings while exploring this new chapter. While the model misses having her children in the house all the time, she’s also enjoyed spending plenty of time by the pool this summer and soaking up the best life has to offer.
“Dancing With the Stars” season 35 begins at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15 on ABC.
