Yes, the prospect of an "empty nest" is not one I am looking forward to. And that's not even figuring in the bits about how old I'll be then (and presumably less good looking).

I do obsess on how to make that slope more gradual (i.e. offer higher utility to my adult off-spring) without impeding their growth and maturation.

Older folks definitely get a second wind when they are once again in need to help care for the grandchildren. But when these grandchildren get older, the grand parents are needed less and/or are less interesting to tweens. Another empty nest situation to navigation, ahem.