Surviving the Empty Nest Syndrome

As parents who are busy raising our young children, we often don’t think of the time down the road that will come when we no longer have our little ones with us in our home. These parents often feel forgotten and I would like to mention a little something to make them feel respected, honored and aprreciated even when their home is now empty. As a parent your job is never over, even when your children do decide to leave and go live on their own. It just takes a little adjusting to the change in your surroundings.

In this day and age parents are experiencing the “Empty Nest” syndrome earlier on than when a child may go off to college or live on their own. With parents separating now due to conflicts, a child often goes off to live with one parent, leaving the other parent having to learn to cope with the changes of an “empty nest”.

There are many things we can do to escape the feelings of loss and loneliness we may be be forced to face when changes to our lives leave us unprepared.

You need to remind yourself of when you were younger and full of all the interests that kept you busy. Pick up that old hobby, learn a new hobby, join a community centre to learn a new skill, and to also meet new friends. Go out to dinner more, try a new flavor or international dish you’ve never dared to try. Try some volunteer work, or get a job if you have been a stay at home mom for most of the last years while your children were growing. It is easier and more affordable to start an online business now that it ever was. Try writing that book you’ve been thinking about for the last ten years and never started. Join some of the social network sites like http://facebook.com or http://myspace.com. You can play games, meet new people, watch videos, buy items in the marketplace for great prices, and more.
The important thing is to find your own interests to make your life more complete now that you find your time is not being used in the same way as it used to be, and also it will add interesting experiences and adventures you never thought you would have.
Remember that no matter where your children may be, no matter how busy they get and never seem to call, you will always be their mom or dad. They know where they came from and who loves them the most, and they will always appreciate all you have done (even if they never tell you with words). When you get lonely, send them an email, leave them a voice mail, or even mail them a letter or card, just to say “I Love You”. Before you know it they will be bringing over the pitter patter of the newest little feet for you to learn to adore and cherish