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Acknowledge your new empty nester's sadness: Give yourself permission to grieve.

Respect your child's boundaries: Allow them to become independent without allowing your anxiety to take over.

Trust your child: Trust what you taught them and learn to tolerate the unknown.

"I'm so happy for you, but why am I crying?"

There are some parents who truly grieve over their children leaving home for the first time to attend college or other career opportunities. For others, it can be an emotionally taxing time for them. Instead of focusing on their feelings, other parents typically say things to them, such as:

"You should be happy that your kids are leaving.”

“Go on a vacation, you need to celebrate.”

“Good for you, I can’t wait until my kids leave.”

“You’re an empty nester.”

As a society, why don’t we focus on recent empty nesters’ feelings?

By the time our children become teenagers and enter 12th grade, many of us are ready for them to leave home, at least we think that we are ready. For various reasons, the teenage years can be a very challenging time for most parents. When a child is graduating from high school and ready to leave home for the first time, it’s no wonder why other parents are in awe of you and celebrating even if you do not feel like doing so – yet. Those other parents do not know the challenge of how it feels to know that your former little baby is going away for good – and that the relationship, the household, and your role as a parent will never be exactly the same........

© Psychology Today