written by Natalie Caine, M.A. |  

I have been speaking with parents for years and I, too, travel the transition of an empty nest . My daughter is a happy college graduate.

“What can help me?” That is a question often asked and for good reason.

“Is this normal?”

Each life is unique and a container. Containing memories, actions, hopes, losses, surprises of joy, and unknowns.

I think of parenting a vase. This photo shows a trunk vase with flowers from my yard. We choose different vases, change the flowers, enjoy them blooming, and see them die.

Sure, I know parenting isn’t that simple. It is complex. We can make changes and still endings will happen. There are times we can’t eliminate pain.

We will have to let go of those beautiful “flowers,” and those times of great happiness. I believe more happiness will come. We just don’t know how or when. That is part of transition. You know you can’t stop it and you don’t want to be in it. 

Learning to live with opposites and paradoxes is challenging. There are great books about What to expect when you are expecting and the books of now what and how to have a healthy relationship with adult children aren’t as abundant. You are a pioneer of this new relationship with yourself and your adult children.

What helps is saying where you are right now. Donna thought she was prepared for her daughter to study abroad in January. She was exhausted and excited with the details of paper work and packing and sending her daughter off at the airport with a hug and another hug, followed with waves and blowing kisses. Can’t you just see her in the airport?

No one wants to say goodbye to someone they love. Talk about it. Write it a letter to yourself, “Dear Donna, I know today was filled with sobbing and pride. Now that your sweetie is far away, you feel the loss, the emptiness at home.” 

Whatever falls onto the paper is helpful to express.

You might just write a list of words and thoughts and not a letter to yourself. Doodle and see what expresses next.

You have educated your children and been supportive of their stages of development.

What helps is for you to be supportive of your stage of life…. empty nest … YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE.

1. There are no rules.
2. There is no carved path for you.
3. This is a time of life to be gentle with yourself. Reflect on your life.
4. Get support. Try something and see what it brings you. Change your mind.
5. Adjust your expectations of when your children “should” call, “should remember to say thanks.” Most parents say, “I just wish he would call more and not just for money.”

Think back to what you loved doing after school when you were younger.

Nature, art, daydreaming, riding your bike, decorating for a party, What have people said you are good at doing? It was my third grade teacher who said,”Natalie, y...