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It can be a bittersweet feeling watching your youngest child become independent and leave the family home. It’s a major life transition, after all, so while you’re proud of your child’s accomplishments and excited for their future, you may also be feeling scared, anxious, worried, and sad. These are all natural feelings that are so common there’s even term for them: empty nest syndrome. Below are some helpful tips for coping with them.

Ways to Cope with Empty Nest Syndrome

1. Stay Connected

These days, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with loved ones when they move far away. You can text, FaceTime, use the Marco Polo app—there are so many innovative ways to keep a continuous line a communication going with your child. If you don’t have a smartphone, think about getting one. Making every effort to keep in touch will help both you and your child during this tough life transition.

2. Lean on a Support Network

Having a solid network of friends, family, and professionals to turn to is helpful for coping with any difficult life transition, including empty nest syndrome. Because it’s so common, you may already have friends who understand what you’re going through and can offer advice and support. You could also consider joining a support group, or turning to a life coach to help you navigate your way through this tricky life challenge.

New York Life Transitions3. Consider the Silver Lining

Instead of dwelling on the fact that your child has moved away, make an effort to focus your thoughts on the positives that have and can come from this necessary life transition. Pat yourself on the back for successfully raising your child into young adulthood, for example, as that’s no easy feat. Start thinking about all the extra time you’ll have for yourself. Now you can take the art class you’ve always been interested in, or go on a vacation with your spouse. Practicing positive thinking whenever possible can help ease your feelings of loneliness.
 

If you’ve recently had children leave home and are struggling with your feelings about it, Audrey Berger, Ph.D., at Turning Point Life Coaching can help. With close to 40 years of experience helping clients cope with major life transitions, this certified psychologist and life coach can help you understand your complex emotions and find ways to work through them. In addition to in-person sessions, she offers counseling on the phone or online—whatever is most convenient and comfortable for you. Visit her website to learn more about empty nest syndrome, and call (585) 292-0095 to set up your first appointment today.

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