Writers’ Paradise

Don’t wait for your children to leave home before planning what you have always wanted to do. The empty nest syndrome is not just a cliche, its a real threat to all committed and caring parents. At this moment in your life, you may find it difficult to believe that you could be struck down with feeling of apathy and sadness as you wave goodbye to the responsibilities of parenting. You probably already fantasize about the peace and freedom this will bring.

But unless you are already well-engaged in pursuing a new dream for you, you may find this time depressing rather than uplifting. You may no longer want to pursue a dream,let alone have the energy to do so.

Pursuing your dreams becomes all the more important if currently you are not satisfied or content with your life. This is because parents in this state often depend too heavily on on the presence of their children to keep their spirits alive. This kind of dependency can be so restricting for children. Many adults find it difficult to leave home because they felt worried or guilty about their parents.

But keeping your dreams alive can also be helpful to your children in the present. People who are looking forward excitedly to their future are much more inspiring to be with and usually much more supportive of teenage adventures than those who dread the empty nest.

Filed under: parenting, teens