I’m a single parent with an only child. It can be hard but make sure you also cultivate relationships and interests that aren’t kid-centric. I’ve taken advantage of the Empty nest to work late and socialize on weeknights. I also took a trip and started attending local events that I never attended when my kid was at home. I do miss seeing the other parents from the high school days, but we get together now and then and it’s fun to share the new directions our lives and our kids’ lives have taken.

This is what you have been working for all these years. As others have mentioned, they will be home a lot and for longer periods. At some point, you will question why their room and board is so expensive and yet, you food bill h not decreased that much. Plan for a vacation or project once they have started school. You will have more time to devote to your interests.

I’m the dad. We have two kids. My first (boy) is taking a gap year and will be traveling abroad for 7 of the next 9 months. He deferred admission to Fall 2026. This will be a tough try-out for us. My wife thinks I’m just ok with the whole thing. But admittedly, I cry every day driving back home from work. We have an amazing relationship and so many interests that we share (golf, football, soccer, travel and movies). I’m so happy and proud of my kid and I know he will do great. But I know it will be very hard for me. Not sure If I’m doing it right by trying to hide my feelings from everyone at home. Nobody needs a dad being sad. My daughter is a Soph in HS and she even mentioned that it will prob be though for me. I dont want my son to be sad , so Im trying my best to be strong and 100% supportive about everything, but I cant deny it is tearing me apart inside. Sorry for the rambling as I’m crying as I’m typing….hiding from everyone.

It is about him, not me. We did our best to give them wings. I want them to fly, but the heart aches so much.

Been trying to do as many things as possible with him before he goes.

Anonymous wrote:Like so many things in life, it’s bittersweet

This is so true. OP: it sounds like you have a great relationship with your kid. This will continue, but I think it is important to take this all in, and to understand that sadness and a sense of loss are part of this great next step your child is taking.
It was so hard to say goodbye to our oldest when they went to college. Now that kid has graduated and moved away to start their first job. This move was more sweet than bitter.
We enjoyed our kid's college years, and you will enjoy yours as well. Visit when you can. And love the time you get to spend with them in the summer.
You are entering your child's college era. Congratulations, and give yourself grace.

I suggest you agree upon a minimum contact schedule . That will save you hurt feelings /worries.

My kid agreed to one phone call a week (she texted more often), and she close Sunday’s as the day that she could participate in those calls.

Expectations are important to set upfront.

I was surprised that I did not cry at the dropoff.

My kid was just so happy and ready, I was excited for her. And proud of having gotten her to that point in her life.

They come back very often , and for extended periods, in college.

It is hard to get used to the back and forth, but you won’t feel like your home is not their home until they are graduated and move out.

(That is harder, trust me. My kid is 25, lives in VA, and has not been home once since the first week in January…though I have seen her.)

Anonymous wrote:It is the end of an era. And no matter that you are happy for your kids and what hobbies, jobs or friends you have, it is still an end of an era. And for those of us who loved being parents, it’s very hard. And for those of us who have dealt with aging parents and see what is coming for us as we age, it’s even harder.

1000+++

Anonymous wrote:I was so happy and excited for my first one.

My second/last is much tougher.

Me too!

I was so happy and excited for my first one.

My second/last is much tougher.

My child is autistic with learning disabilities. For large parts of high school, I wasn't sure he'd go to college -- HS graduation wasn't even guaranteed. I'll miss him, but I'm not at all sad. I'm so freaking happy we've gotten to this point.

Hang in there, OP! I was there last summer. I tried to lean in to the positive aspects— time to relax and read, no need to cook if I didn’t feel like it, etc. when I felt sad, I tried to also think about how lucky I was, and my kid was, to have a happy, healthy family and my sadness was really a small price to pay for my good fortune.
And it goes by fast! You should already be looking at the school calender, figuring how fall beak, Thanksgiving, etc. Helps keep you focused on when you’ll see your child again!

Anonymous wrote:I've read them in the past and now I'm here. And am so incredibly sad and anxious that college is a month away and I'll be an empty nester. I am super excited for DC too. (I'm also not working right thx to DOGE so have a lot of time on my hands to dwell on it).t

More than DC actually leaving -though I'll miss DC terribly- it's sort of what it represents: end of childhood, end of our family unit as we know it, DC separating from us, nothing for me to look fw to but getting old, etc. And before I'm accused of not cutting the apron strings, I've always worked, traveled, done things with friends, etc. But, I'm never more happy when I'm home with my family and everyone is tucked in and safe.

How did you deal?

Was painful for a couple days. Luckily, humans are able to adapt to new situations faster than we usually think we are.

No need to apologize or explain. All of us handle things differently. Just sending you hugs. I cried the entire summer leading up to it and thought I would need antidepressant or anxiety meds. Contrary to what many recommend, we stayed an an extra 3 days after move (with a day an a half of not seeing DC while there) to get to know the town as well last minute stuff they needed etc.

I cried upon return home once I entered their room. Everyone says this would be hard and not to do this but I did it intentionally to get out of the way.

That said between fall break, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break the time really flew and at most was away 6-7 weeks at a time. They also attend a school with some sports on TV or streaming, sometimes I watched those just to feel somehow connected to DC, meanwhile they could care less about sports 😂.

Now they are getting ready to return for 2nd year and while I’ll miss them terribly (some say 2nd year is even harder), they are clinging to me more than I am to them.

I’m just thankful it all went well, someways better than expected despite some frustrations.

I know it be will just as hard if not harder with the younger one but I know now I can manage.

You’re not alone. Hugs.

It is the end of an era. And no matter that you are happy for your kids and what hobbies, jobs or friends you have, it is still an end of an era. And for those of us who loved being parents, it’s very hard. And for those of us who have dealt with aging parents and see what is coming for us as we age, it’s even harder.