Flying Off to University Can Leave an Empty Nest
This is the time of when the new university year begins. First year students may be preparing to leave home for the first time. This is a big change and internet searches unearth a lot of advice on how to help your child through this.
If you are a parent of a first year student, this may also bring big changes for you. For example, the day-to-day pattern of your lives may be different. Your sense of identity may be affected. And, your child’s increased independence and maturity may change your relationship with them.
Such changes bring opportunities. There may be more time to do things you want to do. You may discover and have time to nurture neglected parts of your identity. You may be able to develop your other relationships or new ones.
However, this change also brings losses and some may experience grief (often this is referred to as empty nest...