Getting over the 'Empty Nest Syndrome'

PackMom
Sun, 26 Aug 2007 22:46:57 +0000

My Mom was a single parent. I remember it being very hard on her when I left for college. I remember hearing her cry alone in her room the night before I left for move-in day freshman year. I was so excited to go to college but at the same time felt an overwhelming guilt. How could I be happy when the reason for my happiness was obviously making my Mom so sad ? I felt terrible about it and mad that my older brother and sister had long flown the nest leaving me to feel responsible for her misery. She never really came out and said she was going to be miserable and lonely but I knew it. I left home more worried about my Mom than a freshman should have to be.

So my advice is it’s ok to let your kids know that you’ll miss them but try not to let them see that their leaving has made you a miserable weepy wreck!