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<p>Some parents call
them every few hours just to hear their voices, others go into their old
bedrooms, dust and rearrange their furniture and even lie on their bed sheets
to catch that faint smell of them. It is never easy to let go and when it is
our children going off to university or to move out on their own, it is almost
akin to losing a limb.</p>
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<p>That deep ache or
loss is what the experts call ‘empty nest syndrome’. An offspring striking out
on their own is nothing new as it is a stage of life where they assert their
independence, test their survival skills and see if they have what it takes to begin
to self actualise.</p>
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<p>While not a clinical condition, ‘Empty Nest Syndrome’
is a feeling of sadness and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grief">grief</a>
parents may feel when their children leave home. At first they may not recognise
it as the departure was a happy occasion with send–off party and well wishes,
but for some after the initially euphoria comes the depression as some parents
lose their sense of purpose, especially single parents.</p>
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<p>Keeping in contact helps, particularly when the child
makes an effort to call often or come home on holidays without the parent
begging them. More importantly parents need to now begin to re- focus on
themselves and realise that the next stage of their lives can be just as
exciting as their child’s own journey. They can regain their momentum and their
sense of purpose by re-discovering their passion or their gift. </p>
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<p>Some people always wanted to go back to school
themselves. Now would be the perfect time once your finances are all in a row.
It is never too late to pursue your academic dreams and you might surprise yourself
and find out that it is actually easier now that you do not have the stresses
of juggling kids and other commitment that distracted you years earlier. If
school is not your thing how about learning a new instrument or studying a
foreign language? You do not have to sit in a stuffy old classroom anymore as
the power of the internet makes Youtube your best friend for practically any
subject area.</p>
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<p>If you have some disposable income, why not take a vacation? I hear Italy is lovely this time of year. If you do not want to go off by yourself, invite your bestie to go along or simply pay some family member a well-needed visit. Old tales and memories get sweeter with age so share well into the night and next morning.</p>
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<p>It may also be the perfect time to pick up back that
hobby that you used to do so much. If you always wanted to design your garden
get some gloves, a big broad hat to fight the sun and have at it. There is no
time like the present. Sitting around and moping will not prevent the sun from rising
so rise with the sun and grow towards the light. There is power in finding your
purpose again. </p>
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