Empty nest syndrome is a struggle for most parents.
After 18 years with your child, you suddenly need to let them go into the real world. Not only do you worry about how they’re doing, but your home feels empty. It might not even feel like a home without them. So, here are 15 things you can do to cope with empty nest syndrome.
1. Set new personal goals.
When you’re raising kids, so much of your time is spent taking care of them and helping them reach your goals. As a parent, it’s hard to have goals for yourself. So, when your kids leave, it’s a great time to set some new personal goals to help give your life some structure.
2. Talk to your kids regularly.
Just because your kids aren’t living with you anymore doesn’t mean you can’t still talk to them. Talking to them regularly can help with the transition of living without them. You can hear about everything they’re doing at college or in their new town, and it can help you stay connected.
3. Talk to a therapist.
For some people, it’s easy to become depressed after their kids leave home. If that’s the case, it can be helpful to talk to a professional. There’s no shame in it. Talking to a therapist can help you overcome the darkest days after your kids move out. Plus, as GoodTherapy points out, it could even lead to a diagnosis of an actual mental health condition like depression or anxiety.
4. Think of the positives of the next stage of your life.
When your kids move out, it can seem like a big portion of your life is over. However, when one stage ends, another begins. Try to look forward to the future and stay positive. Think about the new opportunities that you could have now that you can focus on doing the things you love.
5. Reconnect with your partner and old friends.
It’s hard to maintain your relationships when you have kids. You need to drive them all over the place and worry that everything is ok with them. So, when they move out, you can reconnect with your partner and old friends. Spend some more quality time with your partner and rekindle your relationship. Invite your friends over more often. Have fun with it. Enjoy your newfound freedom.
6. Start a new hobby.
If you’re struggling with your kids being gone, try to fill your time by starting a new hobby. Pick up running, hiking, reading, painting, or something else. Your hobby can be anything, but try not to just sit around and dwell on your kids being out of the house.
7. Plan a trip.
One of the best things about your kids moving out is vacations become a lot cheaper. You can plan a trip for just you and your partner. Go somewhere that you never would’ve gone with your kids. Have a romantic getaway and enjoy yourself.
8. Redecorate your home.
One of the hardest things for parents after their kids move out is looking at their empty room and things collecting dust. One of the best ways to overcome empty nest syndrome is to redecorate your home. If your home looks different, it won’t feel as weird that your kids aren’t there.
9. Foster animals.
With your kids gone, you probably have a lot of space in the house. You can fill that space by fostering cats and dogs. So many animals need temporary homes before shelters can find permanent families for them. If fostering is something you’re interested in, you can get a lot of love from these animals.
10. Host international students.
If you just like having kids around, you can host international students at your house. Look into how you can get involved in hosting international students, and you can have them live at your house for a semester. Many parents do this once their kids move out.
11. Take a class.
With your extra time, it could be fun to learn something new or hone a skill you already have. You could take a cooking class to get better at preparing smaller meals now that it’s just you and your partner.
12. Get involved in the community.
If you feel like you’re missing the community aspect of seeing other parents all the time when you go to your kids’ activities, you can fill the void by getting involved in the community. Volunteer at local events, and you can make all kinds of new friends.
13. Start playing local sports.
If you like moving your body, you could sign up for a local adult sports league. Sign up to a local intramural soccer league, and you’ll be surprised how much fun you can have. You can bond with other parents whose kids have gone off to college.
14. Revisit old passions.
When your kids move out, take some time to reflect. Think back to what you used to do to have fun before you had kids. If you had any passions that were lost over the years, try to revisit them. You’d be surprised how much fun it can be to go back to something after years away from it.
15. Get advice from your parents.
If your parents are still around, don’t hesitate to talk to them about the struggles you’re going through. Remember, they went through the same thing when you moved out. They might have some advice for you. Plus, you can spend more time with your parents now that you don’t have the kids around all the time.
