This upcoming school year is a big one for my family. I’m now halfway done with college (woah), we just recently moved, and my sister is going off to college in the fall. What does that mean for my mom? One of my favorite books growing up was called, Love You Forever. The book chronicles the life of a new mother raising her son. The mother would say, “I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.” The book is a timeline of life. Ultimately, the mom becomes an empty nest parent. It is a heartwarming children's book, that is bound to bring on the waterworks.
Empty nest syndrome is a feeling of grief and loneliness parents may feel when their children leave home for the first time, such as to live on their own or to attend a college or university. When students go off to college, it’s an exciting event for everyone. Being the oldest of two, I was also the first to leave for school. It was filled with mixed emotions from both myself and my mom. I knew she would be okay at home and she would have my sister there for her. Now with this upcoming school year, I know my mom will worry about my sister being out of the house. But I too, will worry about my mom.
Dear Empty Nest Parent,
You helped me grow up, learn to read, make the right decisions, and always look for the good in others. You told me it would be okay when I went off to school. Though I might be gone now, know that I am always thinking about you, and worrying about you almost as much as you worry about me while I’m away. I hope you are expanding your horizons and making new friends while on this new empty nest journey. I'm letting you know that you will be okay.
When your last child went to college to learn and grow, I hope the same thing happened to you. Think of your new empty nest as a place to challenge yourself; a small hiccup in the road of life but an opportunity for you. Find a new hobby, do something that makes YOU happy. This is a way to rediscover yourself through new experiences. You know I am having a good time while away at school. When I call you, I want to know how you’ve been, and what you have been doing. I am just as excited to talk to you as you are to talk to me.
When both your kids are home it might not feel the same. We’ll want to talk about all of our college friends and what we are doing now. Just know that you are still as big of a part of my life as you were before we left for school. When one chapter closes, another opens, and this next chapter of your life could be the best one yet.
It will be okay, I promise.
“I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my Mommy you'll be.”
-Empty nest child
