Coping
One of the easiest ways for parents to cope with their children’s departure is to keep in contact with them. Cell phones as well as text messaging are primary ways to keep in contact with other people. Another method of communication is through internet communication that allow families to contact one another via several mediums, and have become increasingly popular over the past few years.
Parents experiencing empty nest syndrome are also encouraged to pursue hobbies and interests now that they have more time, allow themselves to feel upset about their children leaving and discuss their grief either with their spouse, close friends, relatives, or a professional, and spend more quality time with their spouse. It is also advised that overwhelmed parents keep a journal, go back to work if they were full-time parents, and give themselves time to adapt to the change in their household ("Empty Nest Syndrome," 2010).
Read more about this topic: Empty Nest Syndrome
Famous quotes containing the word coping:
“Parents learn a lot from their children about coping with life.”
—Muriel Spark (20th century)
“Usually, when people talk about the “strength” of black women they are referring to the way in which they perceive black women coping with oppression. They ignore the reality that to be strong in the face of oppression is not the same as overcoming oppression, that endurance is not to be confused with transformation.”
—bell hooks (b. c. 1955)
“Acknowledging separation feelings directly and sympathetically is the best way of coping with them. It is actually helpful to tell a toddler “I’ll miss you,” or “I will think of you during the day,” or “It is hard to say goodbye,” or “I can’t wait to see you at the end of the day.” These messages tell the child that he is important to the parent even when they are not together and that out of sight need not mean out of mind.”
—Alicia F. Lieberman (20th century)