Have your children moved away?
You may feel…
- Sad or lonely
- Lack of purpose or unsure how to spend your time
- Resentment towards your children and the years you’ve devoted to them
- Confused by your new relationship with your kids
- Angry at yourself for not being better prepared
The moment your children leave the house is the moment when motherhood is redefined.
You may be wondering if you’re still a mom when there are no lunches to make, no carpools to drive, and no laundry to fold. Being a mom has been such an important part of your identity that you’re no longer sure who you are.
Women are more likely than men to experience empty nest syndrome. This time in your life is likely to coincide with other stressful events, like menopause and caring for sick parents.
Maybe you were enjoying your empty nest and now one of your grown children has moved home. At least 13% of older adults report having a grown child living with them in the past year.
For married empty nesters, the divorce rate increases 16% in the first year after children have left the house.
Pay attention to your marriage. It’s likely been 18 years or more since your partner and you have lived alone in your house. You may not be used to spending so much time together. Underlying issues that have gone unresolved are likely to surface. Communication and patience are keys to maintaining a healthy relationship during this time of transition.
For single parents, now you are really alone.
Maybe raising children has taken the focus off of being without a partner. Now that your children have moved away, you may be forced to face personal issues that have been swept under the rug.
Learn to love your empty nest.
- Embrace this new chapter of your life.
- Refocus on yourself and your marriage.
- Mourn the end of the child-rearing chapter of your life.
- Develop new hobbies and interests.
- Adjust to your new role in your children’s life.
- Reconnect with friends and extended family.
If you would like to connect with me and hear more about how I can help, send me an email here.