When children leave home for college or other opportunities, the sudden change and loss of predictability can disrupt the careers of working parents and their children. It’s common for parents to feel sad when their child leaves home. Perhaps you didn’t fully expect this time of year or season and you don’t realize that your life is starting to look like a blank canvas. How do I fill it? If you are an empty nester (or plan to become an empty nester soon), this article will give you some questions to think about and how to reshape your life during this time, both personally and professionally. The above also provides strategies to help you find meaning.
As you progress in your career, you’re bound to come across major milestones and transition points that make you pause and reevaluate your path. One of the milestones that affects working parents is becoming an empty nester. When your children leave home for college or other opportunities, create a predictable routine that schedules large parts of your family life, including sports practices and games, concerts, and special school events. What happens to that time when the kids leave home? Sudden changes and loss of predictability can cause disruption to both family life and career.