It is September; the time of year that means a lot of change for parents and kids. For parents it can mean a significant shift in the caregiving role with young children going off to school for the first time or the teenager/young adult heading off to university. Often the young adults experience homesickness for the first few days while they adjust to their new environment. It is not unusual, however, for the parent to feel more stress than the child!

This empty nest syndrome can create a palpable void in the house. But it doesn’t have to become a debilitating feeling. View your role as a parent morphing into that of a guide. Ask yourself what is the opportunity here? By adjusting your focus away from sadness or emptiness, you will be able to truly reflect on your new role and support your child during this time of transition, plus new possibilities for yourself with having more time. Nature has a way of filling voids, so you can take a proactive approach and filling it yourself.