The Children are Grown, Now What?

14
The Children Are Gone…Now What? Susan Deal LCSW-C 175 th Wing Director of Psychological Health

Transcript of The Children are Grown, Now What?

The Children Are Gone…Now What?

Susan Deal LCSW-C

175th Wing Director of Psychological Health

Overview

• The populations that this may affect

• Define Empty Nest Syndrome

• Challenges of having time to yourself

• Opportunities to having time to yourself

• People to contact

• Discussions and Questions

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 2

What You Will Walk Away With

• You will know that you are not alone

• A sense of what may make the transition from 3+ to 1 easier.

• Ways to cope

• People to talk to

• Ideas to help

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 3

Who is included in this?• A spouse of a deploying Airman who also

has grown children

• A parent of an Airman

• An Airman that has only grown children

• A spouse of a deploying Airman with no children

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 4

What is Empty Nest Syndrome? • Empty Nest Syndrome refers to feelings of

depression, sadness, and/or grief experienced by parents and caregivers after children come of age and leave their childhood homes.

04/18/23Psychology Today (

http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome

5

Normal reactions

• Sadness

• Worry

• Crying (every once in a while)

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 6

More Troublesome Reactions• You feel your useful life has ended.

• You are crying excessively.

• You're so sad, you don't want to mix with friends or go to work.

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 7

Challenges You MAY Face: • Other changes may be occurring at the

same time

• Re-defining yourself

• Moving through the sadness and worry

• Feeling a lack of control

• Cooking for one

• Staying healthy

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 8

The Positives

• You may notice that the refrigerator does not need refilling quite as often.

• Romance with your spouse may increase. The two of you have time and space now to return to being just a couple; make the most of it.

• Allow time for your relationship to blossom anew. This can be an exciting time of rejuvenation for both of you.

• Smaller water, phone and electricity bills will help you save money. And that saved money can be put toward a vacation with your spouse or friends!

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 9

Ways To Get Through It• Prepare for the departure• Shift aside the terrifying thoughts• Explore the ways that you intend to keep in touch with

your children and/or your spouse• Understand what empty nest syndrome is, so that you

can recognize the symptoms in your own situation • Accept support• Start looking to your own needs• Rediscover the love of your life• Focus on some of the positive points of your kids moving

out

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 10

Ideas

• Get involved at a project at work• Gardening• Take Classes (cooking, photography, art)• Join or go to the Gym• Yoga• Writing• Reading• Cooking• Consider volunteering04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 11

Where to Seek Help

• Airman & Family Readiness 410-918-6768• Chaplains 410-918-6759• Commander/Supervisor• Veterans’ Crisis Line, 24/7 800-273-TALK (8255)

option 1• Director of Psychological Health 410-918-6558• Military & Family Life Consultant• Physician• VA/Vet Center• www.MilitaryOneSource.com 800-342-9647 (24/7)• www.WingmanProject.org • http://www.afterdeployment.org/

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 12

References

• Develin,D.MD, Webber, C. 2010. Empty Nest Syndrome. Retrived from Netdoctor http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/womenshealth/features/ens.htm

• Psychology Today. 2009 Empty Nest Syndrome. http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome

• Traversa, M. 2011. How To Recover From Empty Nest Syndrome. Retrived from WikiHow. http://www.wikihow.com/Recover-From-Empty-Nest-Syndrome

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 13

Susan Deal LCSW-C

175th Wing Director of Psychological Health

410-918-6558

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/175thWDPH

04/18/23 Click to enter title in footer 14