Once a mother, always a mother. At least that’s how the saying goes. It doesn’t matter how old your children get. They will always be your children. You will always care for them the way a mother does. Whether you are an empty-nester or just one of your children has left the home, you may struggle with the appropriate ways to be a mother. This is so natural. Wherever you are in the process, below are some ways to take care of your children after they leave the home.
Call Them Frequently, But Give Them Space
This is a tough balance for a lot of mothers. It doesn’t matter how old the child is, you’ll still worry about them. You probably have the impulse to know the details of their daily lives. It’s important to call your children frequently, but it’s also crucial to give them some space. You should create a reasonable schedule for check-up phone calls. Once a week could be a nice balance or once every two weeks. As the child gets more comfortable living their own life outside of your house, the calls won’t be as necessary. Don’t overwhelm them. Let them find their way and make mistakes, but always be there for them when they need you the most.
Send Them Things They Need
Another nice way to show care to your child is by sending them things they need. These days, we can send people anything. Whether you just want to send them a few of their favorite snacks or something more pivotal, it’s always a nice gesture. You’ll be able to make sure they have what they need without interfering. For example, when your child who has left the home is sick you can send them a get well soon gift package. This is a nice gesture and can help them get through a cold or the flu. Whatever they need, sending them some items is a good way to do your job as a mother and give them some space.
Let Them Make Mistakes, But Give Them Guidance
It’s vital for young people to learn from mistakes. They might not trust your wisdom because you are their parent. This is a tough balance. You should let your child who has left the house make mistakes, but you should also provide guidance when they need it or ask for it. We all need to make mistakes to become a better, well-rounded person. It’s okay for them to make mistakes. You can’t shield them from life, especially when they are out on their own. Instead, provide guidance but don’t get too far into their business. This is a great way to help them build confidence.
Manage Your Emotions
Sometimes your care for the child masks what is really going on. There are all kinds of emotions involved with a child leaving the house. You could be emotional about them leaving the house and living on their own. You could be fearful about the future and worried about their safety. It’s okay to feel this way, but you should do your best to manage these feelings. When you aren’t successfully managing your emotions, you won’t be able to be for the child in a meaningful way. Take care of your feelings and you will be better off helping your child and parenting them into adulthood.
Parenting is never easy–it doesn’t matter how old the child gets. You always care for them and want the best for them. You want them to have a successful life and be happy. It’s okay to want all these things and show your child who has left the home your full support, but you also need to let them learn about life on their own.
Young adults need to make mistakes. They need to learn from them and come to terms that you have their best interest in mind. There are plenty of ways to do that, but when you are a parent experiencing empty-nester syndrome, it’s one of the best lessons you can learn yourself.