What to Know About Empty Nest Syndrome
Graduation season ushers in a time when parents experience separation anxiety as the family dynamic changes
Table of Contents
HOUSTON, TX. MAY 2025
One of the happiest chapters in parental life – seeing children graduate from high school and/or college – can also be a time of anxiety, confusion and depression.
For the parent or parents.
Yes, an all-too-common response to children leaving home (especially if it’s the last child in the family) is the emotional distress commonly called “empty nest syndrome.” Characterized by feelings of loneliness, grief and loss, empty nest syndrome – similar to separation anxiety – represents a new chapter in parenting that can be a struggle.
“Most parents are excited this time of year when kids are graduating and leaving home to live on their own,” said Claudia Schwarz, CEO of J. Flowers Health Institute. “But many parents are not prepared for this shift in the family dynamic. Suddenly, after having spent such a huge chunk of time with this young person living in your household, you’re left with a void. It can represent a sense of loss, even abandonment, for a parent.”
It’s a situation Schwarz is well acquainted with. When her last son left the nest (as a boy mom, her home was an active hub for her sons’ school friends), Schwarz experienced her own feelings of loss.
“The house was too quiet. I couldn’t get used to the quiet.”
As a marriage and family therapist, she has counseled many individual parents and couples experiencing the fallout of living without a child in the house. For parent couples, it can be an emotionally fraught time.
“Your life changes and you’re not on the same page anymore even when you were when you had children in the house,” she said. “One person may go in one direction and the other in another. A couple at this time may see each other as strangers. They may realize that they don’t even know each other.”
This is a time when therapy can help a relationship or save a marriage. Divorce rates increase for couples after their children leave home, statistics show. The higher divorce rate is often attributed to empty nest syndrome or the trend called “gray divorce,” where couples re-evaluate their relationship after their children have moved out.
A new complication for empty nesters is post-pandemic anxiety for parents who feel their children are unprepared for the real world after an extended period of at-home schooling and social distancing.
“Kids in this age range are years behind – socially, emotionally and financially – because of Covid,” Schwarz said. “They may be old enough to leave home but they may not be ready. This is another level of anxiety for parents.”
On the upside, this phase of parental life can have many positive outcomes. After seeking therapy or finding support (from family, friends, support groups, community engagement), parents are better equipped to see new opportunities instead of a void.
It’s a time to set new goals, redefine boundaries, reconnect with your partner, re-establish friendships, get involved with new activities, and focus on the good things in life.
“There are so many positives; there’s so much to look forward to,” Schwarz said. “There’s a great comfort in knowing our kids are settled. Now is the time for parents to embrace a new freedom. This is a great new chapter to look forward to.”
About J. Flowers Health Institute
J. Flowers Health Institute delivers unparalleled health care to executives, high-profile individuals, young adults, adolescents, and those with complex conditions. Our Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation Program uncovers the true source of any health issue and illuminates the most effective path to optimal wellness. The timeliness of our reports and diagnostic impressions allows the next appropriate level of care to begin promptly with a broad and deep understanding of the individual’s health and wellness.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts collaborates to deliver the future of whole-person health. We select the best providers and protocols from Western medicine, holistic health, integrative nutrition, sports medicine, and more that will help our clients reach optimal health. Our team’s coordination and collaboration offer each client a full continuum of care as appropriate for their unique circumstances.
Every client receives one-on-one support and personalized care. Our high-end medical facilities, access to the world’s largest medical campus, and private partnerships with exquisite hotels and spas ensure that we deliver an exceptional experience for every client. No detail is ever left to chance. Clients of J. Flowers Health Institute focus and heal in discreet comfort.
Share This Article
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
