By 5 Tips for Enjoying the Empty Nest Season as a Mom
By irevealinglight
Empty Nest Syndrome (ENS)
The empty nest syndrome has to do with the state of mind. It is usually triggered when the “baby” of the family or the last grown-up child departs from the home.The ENS generally refers to feelings of sadness, grief, anxiety and loss of purpose that parents feel when children leave the home. “Empty Nest Syndrome is not a disorder or diagnosis, but it can be a very challenging transition for caregivers,” says Anna Hoffman, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist.The empty nest syndrome can be characterized by these symptoms:1. Loss of Control
If you had always loved to feel in control of most things (not in a bad way, of course), you might feel helpless that the control has been snatched away from you.You can no longer control the friends your children move with, or the dates they go on or whether they are sleeping late and waking up late etc. You might feel left out of their daily routine and want to intrude on their independence, which can make you become a helicopter parent by monitoring what goes on in their present life, even though they are no longer at home.This attitude should be discouraged, so that you don’t push your children away.2. Emotional Stress
A mom can also experience a combination of feelings when she and her husband become empty nesters, such as being extremely sad, crying a lot, being irritable, angry at herself, withdrawn, unsure about the state of her marriage, anxious about what to do with her life and also scared of getting old.3. Grief
Some moms become gutted by grief and they grieve like someone who just lost a loved one.They long for things to be the way it has always been and they miss the child or children every day. They are more vulnerable now because situations or statements that wouldn’t ordinarily affect them now become a big deal and makes them cry nonstop.4. Loss of Purpose
For some moms who invested a greater portion of their time with their children, helping them with homework and assignments, school runs, attending parent-teacher conferences, playdates, sport competitions, visiting days and birthday parties, they are more likely to feel a sudden loss of purpose when they are no longer present in their children’s everyday life.But there are ways of managing and overcoming these feelings, which we will see later on.5. Physical Stress
It is possible to experience symptoms of physical stress during this time. Symptoms like backache, headache, stomach cramps etc. Can you really enjoy your empty nest season as a mom? Yes, you can. Let me show you how.5 Ways of Enjoying your Empty Nest Season as a Mom
1. Acceptance
Accept it as a normal season that MUST come. Exhale. Prepare your mind and self for it. Focus on the new phase that is beginning in your children’s life, and even yours, too!You might still experience some symptoms of empty nest syndrome, despite your preparing for it but the symptoms may not be too overflowing.Moreover, you can still visit your children and even stay over with them, at the time that works for both of you.2. Maximize Technology
Your children might have moved to another city or even country but not another planet. This provides you with the opportunity to keep in touch and enjoy chatting with them by maximizing the use of technology.You can use FaceTime – if you have an iPhone or iPad – or Skype, Google Duo, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Zoom etc.3. Maximize the Extra Time
See the empty nest in a positive light, as a welcoming season to enjoy more “me” time and give yourself that long overdue treat and the possibility of a retreat.You can also start a new hobby or pick up the one you dropped when you were taking care of the kids. It’s also an opportunity to volunteer for a worthy cause by contributing your expertise or talent.Dr. Sosso says, “Look for new opportunities in your personal and professional life. Keeping busy or taking on new challenges at work or home can help ease the sense of loss.”4. Reconnect and Bond
The empty nest makes room for reconnecting with your spouse and bonding with him. Prior to this time, you might have been doing things together that concern the children alone. But now they are gone, you both probably feel like strangers. It’s time to fall in love with your spouse and get to know each other all over again. Also, if you’re an unmarried mom, you can bond with close friends and loved ones.5. Support is a Necessity
Don’t isolate yourself, especially when you’re feeling really blue and overwhelmed with sadness and depression.Seek support from your loved ones. Share your feelings. If need be, consult an emotional health therapist who can help you. There are a lot of NGOs that offer free counselling, in case you might be thinking of how to pay for their services.The empty nest is a season that should be enjoyed and not endured or bemoaned.So, are you about to be an empty nester or you’re already an empty nester mom? It’s time to start enjoying every moment, embracing new opportunities and re-discovering yourself.All the best!Efe Lisa IfezuoDiscover more from Feminine Digest
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