When kids leave home, it can be a difficult time, but it can also kickstart a voyage of self-discovery. If you’re a mum or dad wondering how to tackle it, our step-by-step guide could help
Even in difficult times, there is opportunity. The same is true of children leaving home. It can be a challenging time for parents, involving emotional and practical changes, but while empty nest syndrome is a particular type of loss, it is also the start of a new chapter of your life. If you approach it in the right way, it can be just as much a time for self-discovery as it is a challenge. Here are some practical and emotional steps that can help.
Remember: you’re much more than just a parent
No one is defined by only one role. This includes parents – even if they sometimes feel that they are. Having children leave home is a good opportunity to acknowledge that and to recognise all the other crucial parts you play. “Make a list of the roles you have in life that require a regular investment of time and energy – such as wife or husband, sister or brother, daughter or son, friend, neighbour, pet owner or employee,” says Dr Guy Winch, a psychologist who has given TED talks about loneliness, and hosts the mental health podcast Dear Therapists. “Go through your list and indicate which of those roles you might be able to expand. You could reinvest in relationships, refocus on your career or become more active in any community involvements you have.”