Empty nest syndrome is perfectly natural. After all, you've looked after your children for around two decades now. And suddenly they've discovered that they can have a life of their own. Sure, you've dreamed of the peace and quiet of not having children (even adult ones) around the house but the only times before now have been short-ish periods for holidays.
Now your children are at college for over half the year or have even totally moved out.
Which leaves a void in your life that takes some getting used to.
Find a support group
In much the same way as you met a new group of people all those years ago when you had your new-born, there will be a group of other parents in the same situation as you now.
So seek out support either with a local group or on the internet. But don't use that as an excuse just to mope around with everyone else! Use the support as a positive springboard to start this new phase of your life.
Keep in touch with your children
This may be easier said than done if they're exploring their new found freedom at college and have seemingly turned nocturnal.
But modern developments like Facebook and cell phones make keeping in touch a lot easier than when you were at college with the only contact being post or a bunch of (often unanswered) pay phones.
Just make sure that you don't turn into one of those nagging parents who can't cut the parental umbilical cord, otherwise you run the risk of never getting your messages returned. There's a fine line between keeping in touch and being overbearing. Make sure that you keep on the right side of it.
Take up one of those hobbies you've been thinking about for years
We all have dreams and sometimes they're not compatible with the full time job of raising a family.
Now that your children have left - even if only for just over half the year for college - it's time to check out some of those dreams and make one or more of them come true.
Think about it for a minute: you're not bound to making meals that fit in with all those different school activities; you're not on almost permanent taxi duty. You can actually reclaim your life - so make sure that you do.
Don't create a shrine
Life moves on.
Sure, you may need to keep your child's room for a few years until they finish their college course. But you don't need to keep it forever.
Life moves on and you need to embrace the change.
Have a second honeymoon
Your children leaving the nest is the perfect excuse. No matter how revolting your children may find the thought of their parents actually enjoying themselves!
Maybe go on vacation together.
Or maybe just use the excuse that you've got the house to yourselves and hold your second honeymoon at home. After all, it's been quite a few years since you didn't have to worry about the reaction of your children.
And if you're no longer with a partner, enjoy the freedom that brings as well.
Now your children are at college for over half the year or have even totally moved out.
Which leaves a void in your life that takes some getting used to.
Find a support group
In much the same way as you met a new group of people all those years ago when you had your new-born, there will be a group of other parents in the same situation as you now.
So seek out support either with a local group or on the internet. But don't use that as an excuse just to mope around with everyone else! Use the support as a positive springboard to start this new phase of your life.
Keep in touch with your children
This may be easier said than done if they're exploring their new found freedom at college and have seemingly turned nocturnal.
But modern developments like Facebook and cell phones make keeping in touch a lot easier than when you were at college with the only contact being post or a bunch of (often unanswered) pay phones.
Just make sure that you don't turn into one of those nagging parents who can't cut the parental umbilical cord, otherwise you run the risk of never getting your messages returned. There's a fine line between keeping in touch and being overbearing. Make sure that you keep on the right side of it.
Take up one of those hobbies you've been thinking about for years
We all have dreams and sometimes they're not compatible with the full time job of raising a family.
Now that your children have left - even if only for just over half the year for college - it's time to check out some of those dreams and make one or more of them come true.
Think about it for a minute: you're not bound to making meals that fit in with all those different school activities; you're not on almost permanent taxi duty. You can actually reclaim your life - so make sure that you do.
Don't create a shrine
Life moves on.
Sure, you may need to keep your child's room for a few years until they finish their college course. But you don't need to keep it forever.
Life moves on and you need to embrace the change.
Have a second honeymoon
Your children leaving the nest is the perfect excuse. No matter how revolting your children may find the thought of their parents actually enjoying themselves!
Maybe go on vacation together.
Or maybe just use the excuse that you've got the house to yourselves and hold your second honeymoon at home. After all, it's been quite a few years since you didn't have to worry about the reaction of your children.
And if you're no longer with a partner, enjoy the freedom that brings as well.