Empty Nest Syndrome

Empty nest syndrome can be felt by some when their children enter adult life and leave home. In most cases empty nest syndrome is felt more by mothers, that miss their children needing their day-to-day care. Empty Nest can effect the lives of parents in many different ways. First, It is natural to feel some sadness when children leave the home. However, feeling should not become severe and last more than a week. Parents should consult a doctor for severe depression if they start to feel as if they are no longer useful, start crying excessively, or are so sad that they do not want to see friends or family. Second, empty nest syndrome could cause marital problems. Children leaving the house gives a couple more time to focus on their relationship. In some cases instead of focusing on the positive, they start to recognize the flaws in their relationship. In order to find marital satisfaction both parties need to have an interest in making it work. After children leave home is the perfect time for couples to rediscover each other. Third, problems can occur with the refilling of the empty nest. In today's society more middle aged adults are refilling the empty nest by allowing their children to move back home. Adult children may return to leave at home after college until the find a job, or until the save up money. Some may move back home after an unsuccessful career venture or a divorce. The middle generation has always supported the younger generation. They provide financial support, as well as emotional support, and it makes the parents feel good that they can offer support to their child in a time of need. However, problems can occur when adult children move back home. The adult children complain about a loss of privacy and restricted independence. The parents complain about noise, staying up late worrying, and taking on too more responsibility for their children. Adult children moving back in with their parents requires adaptation and cooperation between both parties. In order to survive empty nest syndrome parents need to lean on friends for support and be kind to themselves. Parents should remember that their children leaving is not the end of the world. It is a new chapter for them to focus on themselves, start a new career, or find a new hobby.

My opinion:

I think that developing empty nest syndrome depends on the type of person you are, and how happy you are in your life. I believe that my mom experienced a time of sadness when I left for college. However, I don't think she went through empty nest syndrome because she became focused on her career and going back to school.

I have recently became a "boomerang kid" and moved back home to live with my mom, which I can say has not been the easiest. Mom and I have not really had any major fights. We have had a few disagreement, but we were speaking again with 10 mins. It has been a huge adjustment to move back home. It is weird after living on your own for so long. The hardest part has been coming home at late hours. I feel like I should come home early so I don't disturb mom, but at the same time I feel like I am adult and should be able to stay out as late as I want. She hasn't complained about me moving home, but I can tell it has been a huge adjustment for her as well.

What do you think about empty nest syndrome? What do you think about refilling the empty nest?

Sources:

Empty-nest syndrome. (n.d.). NetDoctor.co.uk - The UK's leading independent health website. Retrieved July 15, 2010, from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/womenshealth/features/ens.htm

Santrock, J. W. (2008). Life-Span Development (12 ed.). New York City: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages.