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Readers Respond: Coping Strategies for Empty Nest Syndrome

Responses: 3

By , About.com Guide

Share Post: Are you a parent who has experienced the pangs of empty nest and have been able to find your way past the hurt? Do you have any advice or coping strategies to help others who are feeling lonely now? Share Empty Nest Advice

Early days

My son left our home a few weeks ago, he started a new job and moved into his new home which is about a two hour drive from us, he was and still is very excited about his new life. For me I feel a strange mix of happiness for him and sadness inside for me. I of course never let on how I feel, and have started to think about redecorating his room, rather than wondering past it and wondering how he's doing. My husband doesn't seem as bothered as me about this, perhaps it's only a 'mum' thing, iId welcome any ideas how to cope with this strange feeling, because onceIi get in from work it's then I notice how empty our home feels.
—joesmother

Transitions

Hi, I've got a son who is a senior now, and I'm starting to get that empty nest fear pang. I still have a 10 year old at home but they don't need me like they did when they were babies. I started making a list of all the things I've wanted to do in life. These things include having parties, jumping on classmates, writing an old friend, starting a new hobby, looking into career changing, buying a laptop, getting a dog, and traveling. Hmmm, seems I've got a lot of catching up to do!
—Guest DomesticDiva

Attitude

To me, a single parent for 13 years, "surviving" the empty nest was an attitude. I looked at it as "now it's about me" -- and loved it! I spoiled myself, taking long baths in the evenings with a glass of wine. I read when I wanted to read and found my time was just delicious. I felt like I had earned it after all those years! My advice would to be let the pangs evolve to a sense of joy that now you get to concentrate on your own well-being. It's been 9 years now, and I'm still enjoying my "me" time.
—TrishaTorrey

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Coping Strategies for Empty Nest Syndrome

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