PUG - Parental University Grief

It is that time of year - children leaving home to go to University. For those going to uni it can be a time of great excitement mixed with trepidation. For those left at home for the first time: mother, father, siblings, it can be a time of real sadness. Of loss. Feeling like a bereavement. We can underestimate and not talk about the emotional impact of a child leaving home to go to university. Going to nursey or school for the first time is a recognised significant emotional moment, notably for mothers. The power of PUG took me by surprise. PUG - Parental University Grief. It is real thing. Psychologists measure emotional impact in units out of 100. Apparently, a child going to uni for those left at home is 29 points of impact. High impact.
Born out of 18 years of love and preparation for this moment. You are not strange if you are feeling PUG. Thousands of parents and brothers and sisters are feeling what you are feeling this week. Well done for getting to this moment!