Bringing up children has its ups and downs and it is something that constantly keeps parents on their toes. Being a good mum or dad is a great responsibility and as many seasoned parents like to say, it is also “a 24/7 job.” That is why we cannot blame those parents who are secretly looking forward to the day when their brood will move out of the family home for good. If you are among them, you may be already keeping your eyes open for reliable home removals in London. However, soon after the kids pack their staff and relocate to a place of their own, many parents develop the so-called empty nest syndrome. This is not a disease or a disorder but it must not be underestimated because it may unlock chronic depression in some adults. So how do you know you have that “syndrome?” Common “symptoms” often include:
- Anxiety
- Worrying too much about the kids
- Sadness
- Feeling rejected
- Emptiness or numbness
- Loss of direction and purpose in life
In some more extreme cases, depression can also be observed in empty-nesters. So why are you feeling the way you are feeling? The quickest and simplest answer here is because you have dedicated a significant part (or even nearly all) of your life as an adult to taking care after your children. And then suddenly, you are alone in the house and your kids start to build a life of their own. Getting used to this new situation will take time but you can use a few strategies to help you cope with it faster.
Do the things you always wanted to do
You have never had the chance to sleep in on Sunday or to just put on your pyjamas at 5 pm and retire to your bedroom to enjoy a long good night sleep? Guess what – now you can do all the things you couldn’t afford to do when your kids were around.
Make the most of the extra space
You now have an entire empty bedroom (or maybe even more). Take full advantage of it by turning it into a hobby room, a home gym or an office. You have earned it!
Stay in touch with the children
Call your kids every day even if you have no big news to share with them. Hearing their voices will make you feel better. Plus, we can bet that they too are missing you.
But don’t overdo it
While it is important to stay in regular contact with your brood, do not be one of those annoying parents that texts or calls every 5 minutes. Give them space to breathe and to be independent. Remember how you felt when you were their age. For them, leaving the family home is probably a scary yet very exciting change.
Consider flying away from the nest too
Most family houses are too big for two people. Maintaining such a large home is expensive, time-consuming and physically challenging. Ask yourself whether it is worth keeping it. Maybe you can leave the nest too and downgrade to a more manageable property or even to some sun-soaked exotic destination.