By AUBRIE GEORGE | The Marlton Telegram
For a parent, watching your youngest child go away to college, seeing him move out on his own — can be difficult to endure.
Empty nest syndrome is the depression some parents or caregivers face after children leave home, move away or get married, according to PsychologyToday.com.
It’s more common in women than it is in men, because women are often going through other life changes around the same time, such as menopause or caring for elderly parents, according to experts. However, it is not uncommon for men to feel loss or sadness when their children leave home as well.
Jeanine Herrin is the creator of EmptyNestMoms.com, an online forum that, for almost 10 years, has served mothers dealing with symptoms of empty nest syndrome.
As overwhelming as these emotions may seem, experts say there is hope for parents that are dealing with them and, in successful cases, parents could end up reveling in a newfound freedom and sense of self.
“Just knowing there are other moms out there going through the same feelings as you are helps a great deal,” Herrin said.
See this week’s print edition of The Telegram for the full story.
