Empty Nest Syndrome, Sad Feelings Experienced By Parents When Their Children Leave The House

Illustrations (Violeta Stoimenova / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Every parent, sooner or later will feel the empty nest syndrome or empty nest syndrome. Empty nest syndrome is a feeling of sadness, loneliness, and loss that parents experience when their children leave home, either to continue their education to a higher level or get married, reported by VOI from the Mayo Clinic, Tuesday, April 5.

Even if you encourage your child to live independently, the experience of letting go can be painful. You will miss the days of nurturing him until he misses when he was still a part of your little one's life who is now growing up.

Worry will come along with sadness. Questions like can your child survive without you, can he take care of himself, often run through your mind. Moreover, if you only have one child and feel that you have played an important role in raising them, then you are more likely to experience empty nest syndrome.

Previous research has shown that parents with empty nest syndrome will experience a great sense of loss, which makes them vulnerable to depression, alcoholism, identity crisis, and marital conflict.

Meanwhile, recent studies have shown that empty nest syndrome can reduce work and household conflicts, and can provide many benefits for parents. When a child leaves home, parents have the opportunity to connect with one another, improve the quality of the marriage, and rekindle emotional arousal that they might not have had before.

If you are experiencing a sense of loss due to empty nest syndrome, take immediate action, such as;

Reception. Avoid comparing the time of your child's departure with your own experiences or expectations. Instead, focus on what you can do for your child's success when he or she has to leave the house.

Keep in touch. The sophistication of technology makes it easy for you to stay connected with your child even though they are rarely separated. Maintain regular communication by phone, chat, or video call. If the distance is not too far, then take the time to visit,

Looking for support. Share your worries with family or friends whose children also recently left the house. If you are feeling depressed, talk to your doctor or mental health provider.

Stay positive. Spending extra time and energy deepening your marital relationship or pursuing an interest or hobby after your child leaves home can help you adapt to major life changes.