Expert Tips On Dealing With 'Empty Nest Syndrome'

[Iseeyou]

I live for my kids, they were my best friends and now they are gone. There is not a word for the pain I feel.

[LeaferLoves]

It is an interesting feeling because you start to realize they don't need you as much, or at least not in the same way as they used to. When you're raising small kids it feels like their dependence will be forever. And then one day they're more or less self-sufficient and you realize they're their own person. Which is as it should be, but we parents are left to reflect upon our own identity. If our existence is no longer all about our kids, what is it going to be about? We feel a certain wistfulness for years past when our kids were small.

[jmmurphy]

when my daughter went to college- i would cry at the grocery store. i hated it - now my son is not only moving away for law school but he’s getting married it’s big and i’m guessing it’s going to be a big struggle- i feel myself falling apart

[wk.t]

Lol. I'm sitting here eating a box of cookies and bag of potato chips trying to figure this out.

[angelacooper]

It’s a nightmare ! I know my children had to leave, but since they have, well, I just can’t get over it !

[trishaspencer]

I think it hard on dads who had to work a lot while their kids were growing up.

[Kiya-me]

On my way home after hugging my daughter "goodbye" at her college. She is off to New Adventures. I'm absolutely lost, but I know she will be just fine and do great. In a couple of weeks I'm doing it all over with my other daughter. This is bitter sweet. I'm happy for her and to see her excitement starting a new chapter in her life. I don't know what my purpose is now. Where do I find a support group?

[MidlifeCredo]

I don't know why "condition" means more than just LOTS OF EMOTIONS. 😭 I'm working through this, slowly. The host put it perfectly. Trying to be excited for the child while grieving the loss.

[KukumEesinekapo]

My daughters were not home that much before leaving, they had so many friends and so many activities… like things are just the same as it was 😂😅 I got used to it before they left 🙃 It helped me a lot

[joedonlewis]

Mine is about to move out. I've been a single dad. Right now I'm just sobbing. She's my world. I don't know what to do.

[Palmtreepeace]

I am crying every day and super depressed. I feel like my job is over and I don’t know what to do without my kids. They were all my happiness.

[desiguy]

I feel lost since my son left for college. Don't know what to do as i have no interest in anything and also I hate my job.

[Willamina-mk]

I can hardly wait until the kids move back to live with me. Spouses and all.

[TheSilverlady]

Empty nest and being very ill handicapped cancer survivor and abusive ADHD husband. My oldest hardly ever messages. Bought house it’s huge hate the stairs. I want to sell get nice little country spot a few acres and get a pony to help me. I did nit marry well we are opposites he is into tech I love nature!

[Godisfirst]

Day 5 of my empty nest. I am NOT sad. I feel so happy and so ready for my next chapter. I love it!

[tionnapiper]

Dealing with this and mine hasn’t left yet. He’s 13 and In the 7th grade and I’m already feeling anxiety 🥹

[howisitgoin]

Empty nesting nudity is not all it's cracked up to be, unless you invite other empty nesters over for nude cooking or TV watching, maybe nude book club, just remember that liberating feeling is mutual, and your adult children need freedom too what ever they wanna do too, , in the nude.

[ArmandyLaPearl]

I think my mom is afraid of this she’s showing ball the signs.

[LexaTerrestrialx]

yeah, these are problems or a syndrome.. Everyone deals with anxiety or sadness when a kid leaves the house, or family goes away... But this is a no shit sherlock thing.. why are you on the news for it? let alone using ENS as a name for your middle american "problem"