Sending your child off to college was probably one of the most rewarding moments of your life. It was also likely one of the most heart breaking!
Knowing that the kids you’ve raised and loved, day in, day out for so many years are going out on their own can be difficult to deal with. Even harder is the emptiness and loneliness you feel.
Try these strategies to help you cope:
1. Buy a pet. Animals make great companions! Of course, they can’t fill the void left by your college kids, but they can certainly invoke that sense of nurturing in you. Pets like to feel loved and cared for – just like your kids – so you’ll likely find a sense of accomplishment by taking care of a new pet.
- Get a pet that you can take for walks or play with in the garden.
- Choose a pet that likes to interact so you can spend some enjoyable time training it.
- Opt for a pet that’s common enough that you can share notes with other owners.
2. Get involved in a hobby. Becoming involved in a new hobby is a great way to consume your thoughts and spend your time with fulfilling activities. Consider taking a class to learn new skills and try something that you’ve always wanted to do.
- Choose a hobby that you really like and would enjoy doing even if your kids were home.
- Make your choice something from which you can share tangible rewards with your kids.
3. Spend time in outreach. Getting involved in an outreach program is a great way to cope with the absence of your beloved kids. The fulfillment you’ll receive from reaching out and helping others is something that you’ll feel proud of for a long time.
4. Join a parents’ club. Who said that coping with the absence of your kids meant staying away from them? Sometimes, knowing that you can still be involved in the welfare of your kids is enough to ease the loneliness of not having them around you on a daily basis.
- Lots of colleges have programs for parents who want to get together to ensure the institution continues to cater to the best interest of the students, their kids. Why not take a look at the college that your kids are attending to find something like that? That way, you’ll still be able to parent, albeit from a distance!
5. Get re-acquainted with your spouse. Take advantage of your extra time to get to know your spouse all over again. Spend time with them remembering when you were falling in love with each other. Enjoy cherished memories and make some new ones together!
It’s normal for you to feel lonely when your kids are away at college. What’s important, though, is not letting the loneliness get the better of you. Use these tips to get involved and be pro-active in the exciting stage of life beyond child-rearing.
