How to Cope with Empty Nest

The goal of raising children is to send them out in the world to become functionally, happy, well-adjusted adults. But knowing that intellectually–and even working towards it consciously as they grow–doesn’t prepare us for the experience of grief and loss when our children leave home for college, work, or other reasons. We grieve the loss of a lifestyle and relationship that was part of our identity and daily life.

In spite of the joy, freedom, pride, excitement and relief we feel when our children set off into the world, this time can also be a difficult adjustment period for parents, who may feel lonely, bored, anxious, restless, and sad after years of being busy with raising children, and miss them. On the one hand, we’re proud to see our child go out into the world as an independent young adult. On the other hand, we can’t help but worry over their well-being while grieving the closeness that came with living under the same roof. This experience is so common it’s colloquially called “empty nest syndrome.”

The challenging experience of an “empty nest” is a normal part of life, and it is important for parents to remember that they are not alone. There are many resources available to help parents cope with this transition, including support groups, counseling, and online resources.