Being a parent is a long journey with ups and downs

A path full of major life events and important turns, starting from the moment you hear your children's first words. There comes a moment when the good days, the bad days, the endless experiences accumulated, the years lived together as a family seem to come to an abrupt halt: Birds fly the nest; the time comes for the little ones to leave home; they go to university, get married or move away, and that's when the empty nest syndrome begins for many parents. Let's take a closer look at what this empty nest syndrome is and what parents can do to overcome it.

If you are experiencing complaints such as "The house is suddenly empty, my child has left his room deserted, it is as if the house has lost its voice", learning how to cope with this syndrome you are experiencing can relax your mind and soul and you can start to feel good again.

Empty nest syndrome, also referred to in the literature as empty nest syndrome, is a hazy feeling that blends sadness and grief, happiness and bitterness; a hazy feeling that parents experience when their children leave home. Although not a clinical diagnosis, this condition, which is defined by the sadness and loneliness of parents, is also a mourning process.

In fact, every parent can describe this feeling when their child leaves home, but some signs can help you recognize if you are facing empty nest syndrome. Among the most common symptoms of empty nest syndrome are the following.

If you feel lost when your children leave home, perhaps because you have spent so much of your time caring for them, doing things for them or thinking about them, this syndrome may be the reason why you feel as if you have no purpose in life.

If, after your children leave home, no matter what you do, there is an unease that does not go away, a state of restlessness that dominates the house; if you are constantly in an anxious mood, if you have no energy, if you cannot focus on anything, all these may be signals that you are experiencing empty nest syndrome.

If you are left alone with your partner after your child or children have left home, and instead of creating enjoyable moments alone at home, you are causing problems, starting arguments, having conflicts like never before, this contentious situation between you and your partner may indicate that both you and your partner are trying to cope with empty nest syndrome.

If you cry for no reason because the house is empty, if you laugh and suddenly have sad thoughts, if you are calm but get nervous for no reason, in short, if you experience intense emotional fluctuations, empty nest syndrome may be the cause.

So, what should you do to cope with all these emotional fluctuations, anxious and restless processes and overcome empty nest syndrome?

Actually, there is no clear answer to this question; it can vary from family to family, from person to person. Each parent may experience empty nest syndrome differently; for some it may last only a few weeks, for others it may last for years.

Typically, parents may experience empty nest syndrome for a few months and then gradually return to their old routine and mood. According to some surveys, for many parents this syndrome lasts about 3 months. However, if you are dealing with these feelings for longer, remember that time is the best medicine and try to create routines that are good for you.

Finally, remind yourself that you are not alone and that it is also an effective way to move forward with professional support and an expert to guide you.