Lifestyle
It is hard when your child leaves for college: Here is how to cope
Watching your child head off to university is a major life change. Experts share tips on how to handle the empty house and your new emotions.
A parent standing in an empty bedroom after their child has left for university.
By John Doe
Reporting from United Kingdom 
Sept. 27, 2026, 6:55 a.m. - 15 hours ago
Sending your child off to university is a huge moment. For many parents, it feels like a sudden, brutal change. One day the house is full of noise and laundry, and the next day, it is quiet.
It is normal to feel lost. You have spent years focused on your child's needs. Now, you have to figure out who you are when you are not just 'mom' or 'dad' on duty.
Here are a few ways to help yourself adjust:
1. Let yourself feel sad. It is okay to cry. This is a big life event. Don't try to hide your feelings or act like you are totally fine if you aren't.
2. Keep busy, but don't overdo it. You might want to clean their room or fill up your calendar to stay distracted. That is fine for a little while, but give yourself time to rest too.
3. Talk to other parents. You are not the only one feeling this way. Your friends who have been through this can offer great support.
4. Think about yourself. This is a chance to pick up a hobby you dropped or spend more time on things you enjoy. You aren't losing your child, but your relationship is changing into a new, adult friendship.
Take it one day at a time. This feeling of emptiness will get better as you get used to your new routine.
Source: BBC
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