Recurring Empty Nest Syndrome
After 18 years you help them prepare and pack. When leaving day comes, you see how excited they are. You can't seem to stop tearing up, fighting past memories and bewildered how fast time went by. I have to go through this 3 more times? Recurring Empty Nest Syndrome is a thing! Hold it together, you can cry your eyes out when alone. This is preparation for the big Empty Nest.
Your mind tells you that it is a natural thing that your child moves away and starts their own life. Recurring Empty Nest Syndrome is a roller coaster. When I was on the other side, I remember feeling excited for new adventures and freedom. A distorted look on my mom's face anchored a memory of sadness for a split second while driving away. I was moving to the city with my best friend it was truly just a split second. They don't share your perspective.
YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SIMILAR TO MINE
Moving my daughter to school felt like it was the most UNNATURAL thing. You raise a child from birth, they are with you every day then they are not. Saying goodbye, leaving them in a world you have a different perspective of, feeling their excitement and fear leaving you swarming with stress. Buckets and buckets of tears on the drive home. For me it was one big emotional sob session, followed by small out breaks. When I meet her off the plane or go for a visit and have to leave. When she comes home for a visit and leaves I am just thankful for seeing her and there are less tears. It hasn't ended, after 9 years I am still tearing up. My emotions that are tied to the tears have shifted from sadness to love. It's like there are four nests in our home. As each one leaves the syndrome starts over again. On the bright side, through experience, I appreciate knowing that achy sadness turns to achy love. Time is the vehicle that helps you adapt to the new dynamics in your home. Choosing to focus on yourself also helps with this period of your life, so be creative. Finally, a soft, soothing Washdolly cloth can be a tangible comfort.
Recurring Empty Nest Syndrome and a Washdolly cloth?
It is GREAT for goodbye tears.
- Wet it with warm water to collect those buckets of tears.
- It will muffle your wails if you are a wailer. You don't have to hold back.
- Wet it with cold water. Hold it on you red and puffy face, it will feel good once you are nearing the end of your outburst.
- Your makeup will be smeared all over your face, it will help with that as well. It's a makeup remover cloth.
FINAL THOUGHT
What good becomes of this you may wonder? An amazing relationship of appreciation! You hear, "mom don't leave...". Get more hugs and get to have real conversations with that same child who putting it lightly drove you crazy...