The Changing Nest

The Changing Nest by [Madisyn Taylor]( As the nest empties, parents can alleviate the sadness by rediscovering themselves and honoring the strides their children have made. Once individuals become parents, they are parents forevermore. Their identities change perceptively the moment Mother Nature inaugurates them mom or dad. Yet the role they undertake when they welcome children into their lives is not a fixed one. As children move from one phase of their lives to the next, parental roles change. When these transitions involve a child gaining independence, many parents experience an empty nest feeling. Instead of feeling proud that their children have achieved so much -- whether the flight from the nest refers to the first day of kindergarten or the start of college -- parents feel they are losing a part of themselves. However, when approached thoughtfully, this new stage of parental life can be an exciting time in which mothers and fathers rediscover themselves and relate to their children in a new way. As children earn greater levels of independence, their parents often gain unanticipated freedom. Used to being depended upon by and subject to the demands of their children, parents sometimes forget that they are not only mom or dad but also individuals. As the nest empties, parents can alleviate the anxiety and sadness they feel by rediscovering themselves and honoring the immense strides their children have made in life. The simplest way to honor a child undergoing a transition is to allow that child to make decisions and mistakes appropriate to their level of maturity. Freed from the role of disciplinarian, parents of college-age children can befriend their offspring and undertake an advisory position. Those with younger children beginning school or teenagers taking a first job can plan a special day in which they express their pride and explain that they will always be there to offer love and support. An empty nest can touch other members of the family unit as well. Young people may feel isolated or abandoned when their siblings leave the nest. As this is normal, extra attention can help them feel more secure in their newly less populated home. Spouses with more leisure time on their hands may need to relearn how to be best friends and lovers. Other family members will likely grieve less when they understand the significance of the child's new phase of life. The more parents both celebrate and honor their children's life transitions, the less apprehension the children will feel. Parents who embrace their changing nest while still cherishing their offspring can look forward to developing deeper, more mature relationships with them in the future. [PRINT]( [SAVE]( [DISCUSS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- DailyOM Course Spotlight [The 9 Minute Science-Based Workout]( by Stefanie Turner With this revolutionary 14-day course, you'll learn how to take a scientific approach to your workouts by using exercises and methods that will make the most efficient impact on your total health and fitness. Combining High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), yoga poses, and strength training, each 9-minute session will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to maintain a healthy body composition with an improved metabolic rate for increased calorie burn. By incorporating these expertly developed and scientifically proven training techniques, you will optimize your overall fitness, health, and wellness. [Learn More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. [Re-Parent Your Inner Child]( 2. [Separating with Grace and Respect]( 3. [No Sit-Up Abs Workout]( 4. [Shakti Warrior Dance for Healing]( 5. [What Women Need to Know About Men]( 6. [The Art of Intuitive Tarot]( 7. [Speak with Purpose, Not Impulse]( 8. [What to Eat Over 40]( 9. [From Self-Destruction to Reconstruction]( 10. [Chakra Dance to Change Your Life]( New Courses • [Shakti Warrior Dance for Healing]( • [Haiku for Healing]( > [More Courses]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Home]( | [Inspiration]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( | [Gift Shop]() [Email Settings]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Help/FAQ]( © 2019 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission. Subscribed as {NAME}[at]gmail.com (1276706) [1]