Children Going Away To College: Tough On Parents!

Have A Child Going Away To College?

It might be your first child or your baby, but no matter which child it is in the birth order, the sadness and sense of grief that accompany this life transition can be overwhelming.

Sometimes It Seems Like A Small Death, As If We Can’t Function Normally. We Become Anxious, Upset, And Emotional

Know that these feelings are very normal. The sadness that you feel is shared by mothers and fathers everywhere. The sense of searching and yearning is also very typical.

• Sometimes, though, there is such an anxious preoccupation with the future loss that it interferes with the time that we have currently with our children. But we can’t let it.
• There is so much fun and excitement in preparing, packing, prepping, and just enjoying one another before your child leaves.
• This does not mean to cover up our emotions. We can simply notice them and let them go so that they don’t get in the way.
• One way to do this is called “thought-stopping”. We tell ourselves that this thought is hurting me, it’s not helping me. And then find an additional phrase that resonates with you. Perhaps something like “My daughter/son is here right now. Let me enjoy this time.”

Discover some other suggestions in my complete article.

My wish for you today is that you enjoy this special time with your children, whatever their ages!

Kathleen Dwyer-Blair, LCSW, BCD, Director.