Are you ready for this time of leaving?
For some parents, September is the happiest time of the year. But, the beginning of a school year is not happy for all. Forget Disneyland’s motto for the Happiest Place on Earth,” the school parking lot next week will be filled with some parents making strange noises and shaking with the anticipation as they hand their children over to the classroom teachers.
Certainly, this is not every parent’s reality. Some parents dread the start of the school year with the making of lunches, the routine, the hustle of activities and beginning of homework battles.
But there is one group of parents, the ones where the family is transitioning away from High School, and young adults are making steps to leave the family home. Couples can wonder if they remember what it is like to spend time together without the kids sharing the space between them. Parents may worry about the young adult’s choices in education, work environment or relationships. Letting go of the investment we have in the young people we are raising is no small task.
Here are four encouraging things you can do for yourself and your family to prepare for the inevitable flight from home.
For one mother’s perspective of the empty nest, read this blog post written by Shelley Emling one month after her eldest left home for college.
Take good care next week whether you are carrying tissues into the parking lot or doing cartwheels. And if you are feeling quite stuck, sad, or running out of tissues, come to the living room at Canvas. Our doors are open. We have tea and can help you journey along in this transition.
Take good care,
Tracey