Ok folks it looks like the summer has come to an end. There are no more lazy days by the pool, no more BBQ’s at the park, no more sleeping in, and most importantly no more kids around. Now, we child-rearing adults, are faced with the fact that our kids are at school, leaving us with an empty house and an uncomfortable void to fill. Awe, this is what the experts call “empty nest syndrome”. We can choose to dwell on this fact and sulk in our sorrows, or we can move forward and learn something new. Personally, I always choose to move forward. How do we move forward on may ask? Let me share with you some coping mechanisms that have helped me.
Acceptance and Realization. The first stage in any type of recovery is acceptance. Accepting that you are now home alone is major. This type of realization is monumental in the progress one will see while dealing with the “empty nest”.
Planning. I can not stress enough the importance of planning. Planning time to be with the kids when they are home, planning time to do activities with other like peers, planning to exercise, planing the next weeks grocery list, planning, planning, planing! (It helps take up time our new found “empty nest” free time gives us during the day)
Experiencing. To move forward in life one must constantly experience new things. Enjoy new experiences while you can, because you can only experience something the first time, one time!
Communicating. Don’t keep things bottled inside, but don’t be too clingy. Tell the kids you miss them, or leave them a note in their lunch pales. Moms- crying when saying good bye is a bit much, so buck up. Dads- you usually know how to control the water works, but a tear or two every once in a while is good. It is just the yin and the yang of things.
Lightening up. It is definitely not the end of the world, kids always come home from school, and by bed time I am pretty sure you will be exhausted and ready to sleep as well. For the parents with college aged kids out there don’t worry, they will be back for those home-cooked meals and to do the stinky laundry! I know always did when I was in college!
Laughing. Laughing just feels good and makes any situation better!
~ Happiness can exist only in acceptance. ~
Denis De Rougamont
The term planning implies the working out of sub-components in some degree of elaborate detail.Planning literally just means the creation of a plan; it can be as simple as making a list.
Wikipedia
Men can EXPERIENCE too! Check this AMAZING video out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AdFdmE9A84
“Imagine if humans could not communicate. We would look like chickens with our heads cut off running around. So just communicate already!”
Shaun Sturz
FACT: Laughing makes you live longer, is heart healthy and good for the brain.
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