How to deal with Empty-Nest Syndrome

Quiet At Home: How to deal with Empty-Nest Syndrome

Lim Han

22 Mar 2017

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Prepare for their departure
Goodbyes are never easy, but, then again, this isn’t really goodbye. Remind yourself that you will still be seeing your kids, albeit less often. Plus, with the unprecedented developments in technology, their faces are really only a touchscreen away. If it helps, you can allay your fears by going over with them the details of their departure and future environment. Although it isn’t the easiest thing to do, at least you’ll be letting them go with fewer worries and a lighter heart.
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Keep in touch
Whether it’s video calling or messaging them, interacting with them on a regular basis will strengthen the bond between the both of you and remind you that they are still there. The last thing you want is for you both to drift apart, which will only exacerbate the feeling of emptiness within you. Set aside specific times of the week to call them and ensure that they are strictly followed, no matter how busy the both of you may be.
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Find support
Look to your companions who may be experiencing the same phase of parenthood and lean on them for mutual encouragement and support. Lending one another a listening ear is extremely helpful as you all empty out your burdens and anxieties to one another. Seeking refuge in journaling is also a plausible idea to consider, as translating your thoughts onto paper can be a very cathartic activity for some. If you sense that your sadness is spiraling downwards into the gaping hole of depression, seek professional help immediately before matters get out of hand.
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Strengthen your marriage
Having children means an inexorable paradigm shift in the dynamics of a marriage. From changing diapers to fussing over their school uniforms, raising children demands a high level of commitment and time. If parenthood led to you and your spouse neglecting the relationship, this is an impeccable time for you both to rekindle your love and strengthen that bridge of intimacy. Consider going on a romantic vacation together, which will not only rekindle closeness but also remove you from the empty atmosphere of your abode.
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Look to your own needs
With your kids out of your house, you’re now abruptly greeted with a dramatically greater quantity of time for yourself. Why not make the most out of it by focusing on your own needs, which had been sacrificed for that of your children? Pick up a new hobby or interest or revive an old one that you lapsed from. This newfound passion will renew your motivation and create specific goals you can work towards, thus taking your mind off the absence of your children. From volunteering to entering a new career, the possibilities are endless.

It’s time for them to spread their wings and fly. But, that doesn’t mean you have to wallow in sadness in your nest.

Are your children ready to take off and leave the household nest? Maybe you knew the time was coming but you didn’t think it’d happen so fast. Your little darlings (who aren’t so little anymore) leaving your abode is indubitably one of the most dramatic changes in the journey of parenthood, which can prove to be a massive blow to many parents. The bedrooms which were once adorned with posters and polaroids will soon be vacant and bare; and the volume of the whole house will abruptly diminish and all you can hear are the intermittent sounds of your neighbours.

If you’re inundated with a flurry of emotions and anxious thoughts about your children moving away, you might want to take a breather and have a scroll through our gallery. We’ve prepared five valuable pieces of advice that will guide you in handling your children’s departure. We promise it’s not as bad as it seems.

Lim Han

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