It’s that time of year when youngsters are preparing to set off to University, many for the very first time, and wave goodbye to their families.
That’s all well and good for them, but what about the parents who have spent the best part of two decades bringing them up; worrying about them; encouraging them; sharing their lives and mostly loving every minute? This is when the feelings of sadness and loss kick in and a big box, or two, of tissues are needed.
Having just done a big Ikea shop with my eldest daughter in preparation for her going off to Uni in just over a week, I am trying to console myself with the knowledge that lots of other people go through this (much like I did with childbirth). I have my youngest daughter at home for another year before she too hopefully goes off to Uni, but after that it will seem fairly quiet around the home – apart from the husband and dog, of course.
While empty-nest syndrome may not be a term found in many medical textbooks, I am sure it is very real. I am preparing to feel sad for a little while, but then to start doing some of the things I want to. It will be good, after all, not to have to clean up after teenagers all the time. And, she will be back home on December 7th for Christmas, which is not too far off at all.
It is a major change in life, but I think it needs approaching sensibly and perhaps seen as an opportunity for all parties. For while it is all very momentous and emotional, a child setting off to University to do a course of their choosing having achieved the required grades is a cause for celebration and exciting beginnings. See, I have managed to talk myself round in just a short few words: if only it were so simple. I will have to wait and see, but will have a few boxes of tissues at the ready.