Parents sacrifice a lot to raise their children but there comes a point when the child leaves home and enters the real world. When that happens, it triggers a lot of emotions and many parents find it hard to adjust to the fact that their children won’t be living with them anymore.
The sadness, grief and turmoil is a part of empty nest syndrome which is commonly observed in this situation. This can also feel like a loss since parents see their children going away and the dynamic of their family changing.
In serious cases, it can also result in serious mental health issues and developing destructive habits to cope with the loss. It is not a clinical disorder or diagnosis but a transitional period in life that highlights loneliness and loss.
The tell-tale signs of empty nest syndrome include:
- Anger and sadness
- Loss of identity
- Loss of purpose
- Sleeping disorders
These are some common signs and and if you see two or three of them, it is best to start taking care of it. Here is how you can do that.
- Make sure to keep in touch with your children. Fix a time to talk over video calls as well.
- Try to establish trust. Give your children time to adjust to the new schedule and that can improve your relationship.
- Do not make your schedule around theirs. Focus on giving time to activities that you love so that you remain occupied.
- Reconnect with your friends and other family members. Seek support when you feel it’s needed.
