EMPTY NEST SYNDROME

✍ TANYA PAUL

When the little birds fly away

Whole of their lives they invest in their children , not just financially, but emotionally and physically too.

They spend the most precious and energetic years of their life taking care of their kids,

and when the time comes, when they expect those children to return the same love and care, their sons and daughters leave for bigger cities and towns, leaving those old parents alone in their nest.

So let's talk about empty nest syndrome, the most common problem we have today.

I have an old couple in my neighbourhood , who have 3 children , while the daughter is married in another city , both the sons are settled out of India . I remember once I was having a walk in the park with my friend , we randomly greeted him and talked to him , and at the end of the conversation , that uncle said

“ बेटा तुम कभी कभी घर आ जाया करो , घर में रौनक आएगी ”

I still remember the look of loneliness in his eyes,

I remember how happy he was to talk to us .

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE TERM EMPTY NEST SYNDROME ?

A couple in late adulthood may suffer from this , with all their children having migrated to other cities 

for education or job reason.

It is a feeling of sadness and loneliness which parents feel, a negative psychological feeling which somehow also affects their physical and emotional health.

Having an empty nests make parents miss having those baby birds around , they sometimes indulge themselves in having negative thoughts.

FAMILY AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Family may seem like a simple concept , but there is no simple definition of Family . It is something way beyond words . The love , the warmth , the stability , the confidence , the backbone , the support , the care which family gives us is incomparable . Each and every member has a major role in each other's life .

But with the modern and developing world , it is the need of the hour that children have to leave their homes for higher studies and jobs to avail big opportunities for their future .

But while the kids are busy in making their future , the future of their parents becomes blurred .

Parents witness a lot of problems adjusting to live without their kids , all alone by themselves .

NOW THE QUESTION ARISES THAT WHAT TO DO IN SUCH A CASE ?

●     Sometimes there are certain situations when leaving the house is unavoidable, in such a case it is our responsibility to ensure that our parents are living a happy and healthy life .

●     There will be moments when parents will experience a change in emotions , they will be insecure and over-possessive for their little monsters living away from them , so instead of getting irritated , we must understand the feelings they are going through and be patient with them, make them feel loved.

●     If we can't stay right beside them , then at least we can discover ways to make them feel we are not that away , communicating with them over video calls and phone calls time to time , having a day to day update of each other's life will minimize that empty feeling inside them .

●     Helping your parents rediscover their interests and hobbies , the dreams they couldn't live because they had you to look upon , now it's the time that you help them achieve those . Make them involve themselves in some hobbies to pass their time , ask them to join social clubs so they have more people to interact with .

●     Visit them time to time , and also ask them to visit you sometimes for a change of their minds . Organise small trips and vacations for them.

For all what they have done for us , now it is our duty to reciprocate the same .

 Written by TANYA PAUL
Image source- Google search

If you have any feeling which is bothering you, feel free to contact us for free counselling and advice. It is absolutely free and confidential. 

Mail us - wecare.ktg@gmail.com    Like our facebook page - click here

If you like this article, Share this with your friends.