Empty nest syndrome is a psychological condition experienced by parents when their coming-of-age children leave the house for college or even after they get married. The symptoms that parents suffer are typically feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness and excessive worry over the welfare of their child. The parents that are most affected by empty nest syndrome are-stay at home parents or full-time parents that may not necessarily have any career obligations at that time of the child’s departure.
Statistically, mothers undergo this syndrome more than the fathers. Empty nest syndrome is of course a real feeling. What every parents feel is real as they are so attached to their children, they feel the sadness, grief when their children leave them because when their children leave home or nest after years of caring and parenthood, the parents start to think that they have lost purpose in life, that is, they feel empty. They start to miss the times they spent together like dining together, having conversations everyday or even friendly fights. They start to think that what would their children do, will they be able to live alone, and will they be able to cook food for themselves or wash their clothes etc. These thoughts start to bother them. The parents dealing with empty nest syndrome experience a profound sense of loss that might make them vulnerable to depression, alcoholism, identity crises and marital conflicts too.
Although, there are scientists who claim that this syndrome is a myth. Their study says that parents want their children to leave home, live alone and be mature. Unlike India, In most of the western countries , children move out from their parent’s house to live independently.
I have read many stories online and also have seen people experiencing this syndrome, on this basis, I can say it is real. I also remember my mother’s depression when my brother left home for his job. When I asked her she said that every parent will feel that sadness when their children leave them as they will be so attached to their children. She also said that being a parent they should think about their child’s future too, which is also important and hence if the parents take this in a positive manner they might be able to come out of this syndrome easily. Here are a few tips to ease the impact of empty nest syndrome:
• Remind yourself that it is very normal to feel sad during this transition. Your deep attachment to your child only indicates the positive quality of your love for him/her. It’s healthy to miss them.
• Redefine your children’s departure as a new beginning instead of a loss or sad ending. Reframe the change as an opportunity for you to start a new life and do many of the things you were unable to do while you were raising your children.
• Stay connected to your kids via email, texting and social networks such as Facebook. They can also take advantage of video calling feature available in almost all smartphones.
• Initiate self-care and do nice things for yourself on a routine basis.
• Do volunteer work with a local organization of your choosing. Get involved in helping others and focus your attention on trying to make their lives better. It will make you feel purposeful again.
Finally, to conclude the topic, every parent feels it when their children leave them but it could be overcome through many ways. Usually, parents tend to lose purpose in life but they should think that it is a new beginning for them, whatever they wanted to achieve in their life which is pending they can fulfil it now. They have their own freedom they can enjoy their life and fulfil their dreams. Thus, if parents take this transition in a positive way they could overcome it easily.