Single Parent Empty Nest, Especially Single Mom​

Written by: Harmandeep Kaur Grewal – MA
Last updated date : January 08, 2023

When you are a single mom then you devote most of your time to your children. Moreover, when you see that your child is leaving for studies or work then you feel the difference especially if you are a single mom. Furthermore, your loss will be huge if you are too attached to your child. When you experience a single parent’s empty nest then it is more difficult than others. Moreover, a single mom’s empty nest is even more difficult to deal with. Also, when you change from active parenting to being alone then you are bound to feel empty and emotional. Single parent empty nest exists, especially single moms’ empty nest

Additionally, when your child leaves home, you feel sad, but it is far more challenging when you are a single parent. Furthermore, you are deeply attached to your child. And when you are left alone then it feels like a dream. You should stay active by taking part in social activities. Also, you can grow out of this phase by taking help from your friends and loved ones. You should never be discouraged. But you should see this time as a positive time when you can give a lot of time to yourself and dedicate it to developing your skills. Also, you can learn new things which you never had time before to learn.


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Chapter 1:

Single Parent Empty Nest

You can prepare your schedule which you can follow after the departure of your child. Moreover, you need to be ready to accept the change. If you are hesitant then you will take a long time to come out of this phase. You need courage and patience. Similarly, you can make friends with people who have always been around you. But you never earlier had time to get back to them. You can join the knots by little and small efforts you make daily. Single-parent empty nest is present all around the world. Moreover, single moms’ empty nest is even more common.

Likewise, it would help if you did not make yourself depressed or sad for a long time. Also, when you feel that you have been depressed for a long time period then you should take help from a therapist. Moreover, you should find like-minded people with whom you can share your feelings and insecurities. But you should not stay cooped up at home avoiding any contact. Furthermore, you can go to a gym where you can exercise and make friends. Also, exercising regularly will help you form a schedule that you need now.

Additionally, you can go back to your office. You can start working again if you are interested in it. Moreover, you can learn new tasks which you always have been interested in. For instance, you can learn a new language like Korean. I have always wanted to learn this language. But I never got the time to learn it because of a lack of time. So, after your responsibilities lessen you can do a lot of things.

Chapter 2:

How You Can Deal With an Empty Nest?

If you are someone for whom motherhood is a source of identity then children leaving home will create a vacuum in your life. For instance, you identify yourself as Jasmine’s mother. So, you like to be known as your daughter’s mother than as yourself. Hence, when your daughter will leave home then you will feel alone and lonely. You need to learn to cope with the situation for your mental and physical well-being. For example, if you spend weeks or months yearning for your daughter and did not take care of your health then you will face health issues at a middle or older age. Therefore, learn the skills to cope well. Single-parent empty nest is present all around the world. Moreover, single moms’ empty nest is even more common.

First of all, you can find help from your environment. For instance, your neighborhood. You can ask your friends in your locality to go for walk or jog. Moreover, you can learn a hobby like painting in your free time. Consequently, this will help you to deal with the loss in a better way. Furthermore, you will notice that your feelings were for short time and you can grow out of your situation stronger than you thought about it. Also, it is your fears and insecurities that are keeping you away from your dreams. Moreover, there is no age to achieve your goals. You can do so at later ages. For instance, you can write a book at 50 or learn a language at 40. Likewise, your interests may be diverse but you need a huge amount of trust in yourself to live your life.

Chapter 3:

Living for Yourself

When you spend your entire life living for another human being then it is not easy to be yourself. You need to have courage and faith in your individuality. Furthermore, you are a unique person, and you cannot identify yourself through other people. You have to make a way for yourself and not compare yourself to others. But, you need to first start from a point. If you made a start then you can always move forward in the right direction.

Additionally, when you know the time has come for your child to be independent then plan a life for yourself. You can learn art or craft. Moreover, life has given you time which you can spend on yourself. You should be happy to see the opportunity for yourself. Single-parent empty nest is present all around the world. Moreover, single moms’ empty nest is even more common. So, you need not feel alone. Many women around the world face a similar situation.

Chapter 4:

Look Forward to the Future

Single-parent empty nest is present all around the world. Moreover, single moms’ empty nest is even more common. You need to be strong enough to emerge out of your loneliness, anxiety, and fears. You are a strong person. The thing is to believe in yourself and your strengths. Moreover, find a skill that you can hone and make a career out of it. For instance, you can be a writer at any age. Assuming that you have ideas then you can be a professional writer. You can make a living out of your creative expression of your thoughts and experiences. You should never deny yourself an opportunity because you were not brave enough to choose for yourself.

Additionally, the fact that you are alive and healthy is enough for you to kick start your career or life at whatever point you may be now. You should come out of your grief as soon as possible and look forward to new things. At first, your life may seem difficult to you but you should not give up on yourself. You can gain faith in yourself by having discipline in your life.

For more information, please click “Courses” on the navigation bar and check out our online self-paced courses. The course titled “DBT for Social Anxiety” will provide more information on the current topic.

 

"Very practical suggestions" Peter

95 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use

$9.00 $12.00

25% discount