By: Alyssa Hyland, MFT-Intern, Supervised by Dr. Mark White, LMFT-S
As a parent have you recently sent off your child to college and become an empty nester? Have you found that you and your partner may have strayed away from each other after all these years, feeling like there is a loss of connection or intimacy within the relationship? This feeling is common among parents who have recently become “empty nesters.” When all of the kids have moved out of the house, and it is once again just the parents. As parents, you focused so much time on your kids that you neglected your relationship without even realizing it.
Though it can feel like a great accomplishment sending your kid/s off to school into the world sometimes it can create some challenges at home. One of these common challenges is known as empty nest syndrome. Empty nest syndrome occurs when all the children leave the home and there is a sense of sadness and loss of connection between parents. They’ve neglected their relationship for so long that the parents feel as if they don’t know each other anymore. They come to realize that there is a loss of connection, communication, and intimacy that they never noticed before. Sometimes causing you to question your relationship.
As parents, if you find yourself in this position know that you are not alone. Navigating becoming empty nesters can be difficult and sometimes you need a little outside help. You can find this help in couple’s therapy. Couple’s therapy can aid you in re-establishing your connection. You begin to learn who your partner is again, and who are as a couple beyond being just parents.
If this is you and you want to find yourself again after becoming empty nester please call (806) 780-0003. Ask for Alyssa Hyland and as your therapist I will help you in re-pairing the relationship with your spouse and learning how to fulfill the role of husband and wife again after becoming a parent.
Alyssa Hyland
