Getting Past the Empty Nest Syndrome

By Amy Sherman

Whether you're an empty nester or soon to be one, you know that it's a big change for you and the family. After all, your role for the past 18 years has been to get the kids ready to make it on their own as healthy, responsible young adults. However, it still doesn't change the fact that you feel sad at times, due to this challenging period of adjustment.

Sometimes there are concerns about your new role with your child, unease about your view of yourself and anxiety with the adjustments in your relationship or marriage. Be sure to notice that if you see signs of despondency that interferes with your daily living (crying a lot, insomnia, poor appetite or excessive behaviors), this may indicate a more serious condition, needing professional attention.

Basically, if you feel sad that your home doesn't have the noise, conflict, laughter and mess that it used to have, it's normal. But also realize that you now have lots of free time, a new found freedom to actually think about yourself. This time offers you an opportunity to begin a new journey that will reveal your special creativity and even hidden passions.

Here are some things you can do to get past the empty nest syndrome:

1. Make a "passion" list. These are things you've always wanted to do but never had time. Include exploring travel dreams, new hobbies, career and educational advancements, ideas for redecorating, etc. Develop interests of your own so that your focus is on you and not the empty room in the home.

2. Talk to other empty nesters, since they understand your feelings, having been through it themselves. Lean on these friends for support.

3. Rethink this phase of your life as a door opening, with new and exciting adventures that will add to your personal growth and development.

4. Explore your many resources. Gain as much knowledge and information as you can on the Empty Nest Syndrome to reassure that you are really ok.

5. Enjoy your increased nest egg. With your child out of the house, you may find your expenses have gone down, enabling you to save more money for your retirement.

It is not surprising that parents, who become content in their own lives, are better able to transition through this empty nest phase. As a parent of a grown child now, you have successfully done your job and should be proud to watch as he/she enters the next great phase of being an adult.

About the author: Amy Sherman is the author of Distress-Free Aging: A Boomer's Guide to Creating a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life

More Empty Nest Articles