College Guide For Parents: Stuck in an Empty Nest
Monday, November 17th, 2008
Dear Babs,
My son is an only child and I’ve raised him as a single mother. Now, he is going off to college and I’ll have an empty nest for the first time in a long time. I know I’ll be alright (eventually) but I am feeling somewhat anxious and depressed about it. Do you have any advice or suggestions for a single mom about to become a bachelorette?
-Ms. Lonelyhearts
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Dear Ms. Lonelyhearts
Feel proud of yourself. You have done an amazing job as a mother and now your son is reaping the rewards by starting an independent life and pursuing higher education. If they only gave out medals for motherhood, you would be Nobel-prize winning laureate. Although now you feel lonely, perhaps in the not too distant future you will be enjoying your new-found freedom. While your son is off gallivanting on campus, you can have more time for friends, a hobby, or your career. When you’re not keeping up with all of your son’s new college info, rediscover girls-night-out, or better yet, go away for a long-weekend.
In the meantime, might I suggest a little humor to soften the blow of a suddenly-empty-nest? My favorite relaxation often involves 30-Rock, take-out, and a glass of wine. Or better yet, find some comedy in parental commiseration. I’m a huge fan of Carol Band’s book and blog “A Household Word.” She writes about the kind of parenting you don’t hear about on Martha Stewart. While you’re waiting to get the spring back in your step, the best thing to do is to find a good shoulder to cry/laugh on. And don’t forget the chianti.
