How To Treat Empty-Nest Depression

World of Psychology:

Several mom friends of mine have lately come down with a bad case of "empty-nest depression" -- moms who just dropped off their youngest offspring to college, or moms having difficulty keeping busy now that the youngest is in kindergarten all day.

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Comments

[calfacon]

Can I expose myself to cries of cold-hearted? I AM so looking forward to dealing with an Empty Nest! Thought I ws there, but those apron strings - this economy acts like fertilizer in growing those pesky strings back. It was tough the first time around, I want it back!

[tploomis]

I don't think this is an issue that affects only mothers -- men can go through depression, too, when their children leave home. I had been experiencing episodes of sadness in anticipation of my daughter going off to college. I realized this was a far more universal reaction when my daughter's principal was addressing this issue at the graduation speech, and there was a chuckle of recognition that ran through the crowd of parents.

I do think that letting go of our children is an important part of parenting, and it happens many, many times in different forms throughout our relationship with them. When I was experiencing sadness at my daughter's imminent departure for college, I reminded myself that this move, painful as it was for me, was an essential part of my daughter growing up, and I felt a strong sense of pride at the same time that she was able to head off to a new experience, certainly anxious, but also believing that she was capable of facing this in her own way. There have been other experiences of letting go since then, and there will be more in the future.

[elan4444]

At the recent Women's Conference held in California, Maria Shriver commented that she and her mother phoned each other every day. I don't think that means that she was a "smother mother." I think it is a wonderful thing that women can extend the mother-daughter bond into adulthood by sharing ideas on life, politics, art, music, and life in general. I am not one who thinks they should all go off into their own private world - what would have been the point of emotional investment within the 18 years that they spent within the family unit? I have four wonderful children and love hearing from them and am eager to know what is happening in their lives. They are welcome at home anytime.

[SonyaInTx]

A job is the perfect cure to empty nest syndrome.

[FabulousAt52]

Well Dang! I have empty nest ENVY!! LOL

I still have a 25 yr old daughter living with me and her dad... We get along great; she's helpful and contributes to things around here, but I sure as heck can't wait for the day she has her (advanced) degree in her hand and she moves OUT!! Wooohooo! 18 more months!

Hard economic times often leads to kids at staying home longer, and/or coming back home (sometimes with spouses or kids of their own!) to get through the lean times....
So, Don't cry about the empty nest people -- you could be "un-empty" over and over again well into retirement! ;-)

[tb92]

I agree. My oldest just left for college and my youngest just started kindergarten, and I love having more free time. I intend to make the most of every moment with my children, but I also have a list of things to do once they're grown and out. They better not plan on living with me until their thirty, because I won't be here.

[Ohsherri]

LMAO!

[FabulousAt52]

"My oldest just left for college and my youngest just started kindergarten,...."

Oy! If I may ask- How many children were between those two?
Well chin up... they all do grow up, eventually! ;-)