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A New Day With Dawn  

Dear Dawn...

My only child is graduating from high school in just a few weeks now and I am feeling very sad about not seeing her more often. I know that becoming an empty nester is normal but I do not know how to process my feelings and let her go. Can you help me with this? Thank you. S.

 

Dear S.,

I can certainly empathize with you on this one. The same is happening for me.

The best way to process your feelings of sadness is to allow yourself to feel them fully without guilt or your mind telling you that you just need to accept it and get on with things.

This is one of those major life transitions that both parents go through, although it does affect mothers more so than fathers because we are generally more emotional creatures to begin with.

In allowing yourself to feel and process your feelings fully you will find that a serene acceptance of what is happening will result much more quickly and you will be able to resume your daily activities with the joy and passion that you felt in raising your daughter.

It is also helpful, when the time is right for you, to start a new hobby that is very creative. The sense of fulfillment and purpose we automatically receive through raising our children can also just as easily be achieved through any creative pursuit.

This could mean writing, painting, re-decorating your space, cooking or whatever appeals to you. You might even want to sign up for classes in one of these areas to meet some new like minded people at the same time.

What else brings you joy? Open your heart to that and you will find a new path opening up for you that have you laughing and enjoying your life again.

You can also help to process your feelings by spending more time with your friends. Sometimes having someone to listen helps more than we can imagine.

As with any process this does take time so try to be patient with yourself and remember that this is a new journey and not a destination.

You can also have a heartfelt talk with your daughter and arrange some quality time with her once a week, provided that she is not leaving to go off to college; if that is the case then perhaps an agreement for her to at least come home for the holidays.

Having an agreement in place for some quality time will serve to give you something to look forward to as you work through this transition.

Every day is a new day… Just for today, allow yourself to feel all that you do in becoming an empty nester. You will process this time more easily and gracefully if you do. Also, know that you are not alone. By redefining your joy and purpose in the next phase of your life you will once again feel that life is magnificent and beautiful.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Dawn McIntyre is an award winning Certified Spiritual Advisor and Coach.  Dawn is also a best-selling author, has been the host of her own radio show, has been featured in Newsweek, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, and has been a guest on over 200 radio and TV shows.

You can contact Dawn by email at:  [email protected].

Visit Dawn's website:  http://www.ultimatedatingclub.com/

 

 

 



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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