PUG - Parental University Grief (Empty Nest Syndrome)

It is that time of year...this weekend thousands of young people embark on a great adventure. They will pack their bags and with great excitement head off to university. New firends, new experiences, new opportunties. Meanwhile mum and dad will be experiencing mixed emotions:pride in their child going to university and sharing in the sense of acheivement. And a great achievement it is to be celebrated by parents and child. But there is another powerful emotion at play - grief. Real grief. Real sadness. Real loss. Bewilderment. The quietness. Most parents feel it particularly as the first child goes to university. Psychologists call it Empty Nest Syndrome. You are not alone. It is real. And common. You are not strange. I have given it another name: PUG - Parental University Grief. Embrace it. Own it. Talk about it. Share it. Pray about it. Others will understand and like you, will be relieved. And another thing...well done!