The Empty Nest: When Your Children Leave
It is possible that without you realizing it, the years have passed very quickly, so much so that all your children have already become independent and each one is living their lives independently, without having to seek shelter in you. When the empty nest arrives you may be experiencing some mixed emotions, understanding what is happening is important to know what to do about it.
If your last child is an adult and about to leave home – or he or she has already left – you may be experiencing some mixed emotions. Understand why empty nest syndrome happens and what you can do about it.
What is empty nest syndrome and why do some parents experience it?
Empty nest syndrome is not a clinical diagnosis. Instead, empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when their last child leaves home. Many parents encourage their children to be independent, but the experience of finally letting them go can be quite painful.
For some parents it can be difficult to accept that their children no longer need their attention or that they will miss the most everyday parts of their children’s lives and will not have their constant company. They may also worry about their safety or whether the children will be able to take care of themselves.
Some parents may have some trouble with the transition if their last child to leave is too early or too late. If you only have one child left at home and he or she is going to leave or has already become independent and it is getting very uphill, it is because you will probably have to adapt to this new stage of life, where your home has become a nest empty.
The impact of empty nest syndrome
Long-standing research shows that parents with empty nest syndrome experienced a deep sense of loss that could make them vulnerable to depression, alcoholism, identity crises, and even marital conflict. However, recent studies suggest that an empty nest could reduce work and family conflicts, and can provide parents with many other benefits.
When the last child leaves home, parents have a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, to improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests for which they had not had time before. Therefore, the empty nest can be an opportunity to enjoy a new stage, where in addition to missing the children at home, you can enjoy a new stage as a couple.
How to deal with the mixed feelings of the empty nest: 3 keys
If you realize that you are experiencing feelings of loss because all your children have left home, you should start taking measures so that it does not affect you more than necessary and you can enjoy this new stage that life is giving you. If you don’t know where to start, read on for some strategies.
Accept the time
Avoid comparing your child’s schedule with your daily experience. Instead of thinking about time, focus on what you can do to help your child be successful in his life and also focus on the time that you have and that you can enjoy with your partner. Free time, a new intimacy … From now on you can enjoy life in a different way.
Stay in touch with your children
You can continue to maintain contact with your children and make them feel close to you even if you are not physically there. Make an effort to maintain regular contact through visits, phone calls, emails, texts, or even video calls . Find the way in which both of you are connected and feel comfortable, without invading the space but both of you knowing that you are on the other side.
Seek support
If you begin to notice that it is too difficult for you and you think that the empty nest is being too hard to overcome by yourself, then do not hesitate to seek help. You can lean on loved ones or close contacts who are supportive to you. Share your feelings, and if you feel too depressed, then see your doctor or a mental health professional.
