My Take On How To Recover From Empty Nest Syndrome

After consulting wikihow.com- How To Recover From Empty Nest Syndrome (8 Steps), I started this 8 step recovery process hoping to achieve nirvana or something close to it regardless of the consequences.


1. Prepare for the departure. Make sure they can do things independently and take care of themselves in any situation. Duhhhhhhhhh, I did that and probably over did it. Poor M had to endure a whole summer of me preparing him for the inevitable at UMBC.

2. Shift aside the terrifying thoughts. My motto has always been, “If it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all.” This step might take the longest. UGH.

3. Explore the ways that you intend to keep in touch with your children. Isn’t technology wonderful? Email, Skype, texting, etc.

4. Understand what empty nest syndrome is, so that you can recognize the symptoms in your own situation. Yeah, I know the symptoms. Are they indications that I’m losing my mind? Or are they symptoms of menopause? They seem the same to me.

5. Accept support. I live in the boonies and there is no such thing as a support group for Empty Nest Syndrome in the tri-county area. There are however, online discussion groups and I took a gander and thought most of them were really lost and needed “real help” from a board certified psychiatrist. This wasn’t for me and I sought help elsewhere. Several local restaurants are hosting wine tasting events which seem to be just the ticket.

6. Start looking to your own needs. Yes, it’s that time. Time to clean out my closet that I have been putting off for years.

7. Rediscover the love of your life. Hubby travels 3 weeks out of the month so this ain’t gonna work. Maybe a few DVDs of Hugh Jackman?

8. Focus on some of the positive points of your kids moving out. Less laundry, grocery bill has been greatly reduced, less cooking, smaller water and electricity bills, I can sit around in my bathrobe all day, the ice cream is ALL mine now, I can eat what I want and when I want, I can watch what I want on TV, now I can finally have a break that I so desperately need, etc.