Empty nest syndrome is characterized by excessive suffering associated with the loss of the role of parents, with children leaving home when they go abroad to study, when they marry or live alone.
This syndrome seems to be linked to culture, that is, in cultures where people, especially women, are dedicated exclusively to parenting, their departure from home causes more suffering and feelings of loneliness, compared to cultures where women work and have other activities in the country.their lives.
- In general.
- People who are leaving their children face other changes in their life cycle.
- Such as retirement or the beginning of menopause in women.
- Which can exacerbate feelings of depression and low self-esteem.
Parents with empty nest syndrome usually have symptoms of dependence, suffering and sadness, associated with depressive conditions, losing the role of caregivers of their children, especially among women who have dedicated their lives exclusively to parenting, being very difficult for them to see them leave.Learn to differentiate between sadness and depression.
Some studies argue that mothers suffer more than parents when their children leave home, because they are more devoted to them, they have lost their self-esteem because they feel they are no longer serving them.
The stage at which children leave home can be very difficult for some people, however, there are ways to manage the situation:
We have to accept that the children leave home without comparing this phase, to the phase in which they left their parents, but that parents need to help their child at this moment of change so that he can get ahead at this new stage.
Even if children no longer live at home, this doesn’t mean they don’t continue to visit their parents’ homes, parents can stay close to their children even if they live apart, make visits, make phone calls, or coordinate visits together.
If parents are struggling to get through this phase, they should seek help and support from family and friends.People with this syndrome may even need treatment and should see a doctor or therapist.
Generally, during the period when children live at home, parents lose their quality of life a little, because they give up certain activities they enjoy, have less quality time as a couple and even for themselves.
Then, with more time and energy, you can spend more time with your spouse or even do an activity that has been postponed, such as going to the gym, learning to paint or playing a musical instrument, for example.