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

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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


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


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

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Normal reactions

• Sadness

• Worry

• Crying (every once in a while)


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.


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


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!


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


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/


http://www.militaryonesource.com/

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


Susan Deal LCSW-C

175th Wing Director of Psychological Health

410-918-6558

[email protected]

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


The Children are Grown, Now What?

Health & Medicine

Transcript of The Children are Grown, Now What?