Empty Nesters: The struggle with alcohol dependency this Sober October

Every child will eventually grow up and fly the nest, it is inevitable. But you may be thinking, why so soon? As you drop them at university for the first time and watch them unpack into a new life, it can feel distressing, as they have been your sole focus for such a long time. This overwhelming experience is called ‘Empty Nest Syndrome’, which can be defined as the sadness or emotional distress affecting parents whose children have grown up and left home. This can leave parents with tremendous feelings of depression, loss and lack of purpose. If you are feeling like this, know that you aren’t alone, as 47% of British parents feel the same (Sky Mobile, 2021).

During this difficult transition period, managing your feelings with alcohol can seem like the easy and harmless thing to do. When in its place, it can lead to alcohol dependency and cause more deep-rooted issues. A quarter of women increase their alcohol consumption when their child leaves home (Good Housekeeping, 2015). Instead, try taking on Sober October this month where you can challenge those notions and channel your feelings in a more positive way. This challenge may seem like an overwhelming mission, especially at this time,  but we are here to help you.

Here are our top tips on how to manage during the first month your child is away:

Distraction- it may seem obvious, but it is important to stay busy. Engage in a new hobby or skill, meet up with friends, anything that keeps your mind occupied.

Keep in touch- Make the effort to call and text your child. They may be missing you as much as you are missing them.

Make a plan- Always have a plan to look forwards to. Invite them to do something special. Either a weekend back home or you travelling to see them, it can make all the difference.

Set new personal goals- This is the perfect time to focus on yourself. Set goals within your own personal or professional life.

Acknowledge your feelings- Accept that these feelings are normal but don’t bottle them up, this is a sure way to make the period even more difficult. Speak to your family and friends, they may have gone through the same thing. 

Seek Support- If your child leaving for university is having detrimental effects on your life, then reach out to us, we are here to help guide you through the difficult time.

We know this is a difficult time for parents, especially those whose first or only child has moved out. So we intend this article to be a beacon of support in this time of difficulty. If you or someone you know is struggling, please do get in touch via our website if you require support.