With so many youngsters these days preferring to settle abroad for the want of a better life and opportunities, we are witnessing a mass outflux of working Indians. And while they move forward in their quest for a better life, they end up leaving behind their old parents!
Now, be it any parent- Indian or any other, it is obvious that they are bound to feel sad when their child moves out of the home. With the house suddenly appearing empty and with old age limiting their social activities, such parents begin suffering from what is known as the “Empty Nest Syndrome”.
What is Empty Nest Syndrome?
Empty Nest Syndrome, is a term given to the general feeling of sadness that a parent tends to feel when their offspring gets married or moves out of the family home etc. However this syndrome is known to affect the mother the most, as she has a stronger emotional bond with the child. Some parental sets are affected more than others, depending on the strength of the emotional ties with their children.
Here is how you can ensure that your parent does not get too overwhelmed by the Empty Nest Syndrome, in case you are moving out or have settled abroad,
- Encourage them to start working again
Sticking to the old saying, ‘An idle Mind is the devils Workshop!’ encourage your parents to start working again. While it is but obvious, that they won’t be able to resume the same kind of work they did earlier, do encourage them to actively volunteer in social organizations, actively participate in the work done by local organizations etc.
This will ensure that they interact with other people and socialize and it will also help them channel their energies into something worthwhile so that they don’t spend time cooped up in the house, feeling lonely and sad!
- Make it a point to remind them to be Active
As one grows old, the levels of physical activity go down gradually. This is primarily due to the onset of illnesses and medical conditions that get aggravated due to the advanced age, plus with stamina and agility also getting affected, physical activity is bound to lessen!
This lack of activity in old age can result in further medical complications of the heart and other vital organs. To avoid this, check up on your parents from time to time, to ensure that they are not skipping their daily walks. If the market is close to home and the weather permits, persuade them to walk to the market for shopping. Buy them comfortable footwear, so that they face no problem in walking. Enrolling them in Yoga Classes will also help keep them active and healthy.
No matter how busy you become, find at least sometime during the week to visit them. While phone calls should definitely be on top of your list, nothing can quite assure your parents that you still love and care for them, like a couple of visits per week! Plus with you visiting them every week, they won’t feel as though you have moved out of the familial home.
- Encourage them to Try something new
Owing to the strong emotional attachment and strong value system that has been inculcated within us for ages, Indian parents our bound to feel immense grief when their off spring moves out of the home. While you may do everything in your right, to lessen their feelings of sadness and loneliness, nothing works better than distraction.
Encourage them to take up a long forgotten yet cherished hobby of their own or simply something new, as long as it is challenging and invigorating. Help them choose an area of their own interest, where they can spend their time and energy positively!
You could gift them a camera so that they can take up photography, an easel so they might start painting again… and so on.
You moving out of your parent’s house to pursue your ambitions and have your own family, was bound to happen. While guilt in regards to leaving your parents behind is bound to surface, don’t let it bog you down! Remember that your parents have always wanted you to be happy, and will continue wanting the same for you.
On seeing you doing well and happy on your own, will go a long way in reducing your parents sadness at you moving away. So remember be positive about the fact that you are moving away and encourage your parents to do the same.
We all know that no matter how old one becomes, he/ she still remains a kid in their parent’s eyes. So make it a point to assure your parents that your going away, is not going to change the fact that you love and care for them!
