For those of you with children away at college you may now be starting to feel some grief at their absence. A grief counselor says….that’s ok.
Grief counselor Lisa Athan says although she was excited, happy and proud when her daughter went off to college….the emotion that was the strongest was grief. She said she then realized the importance of listening to others when they share their sadness over changes in their lives.
She writes, that’s because “Grief is not only due to a death or divorce, but grief can come from any type of separation, ending or change in our lives. So don’t shame yourself with thoughts that your grief isn’t real – after all it’s the beginning of the end of how your relationship has been the past 17 years. And don’t tell yourself your grief doesn’t rise to the level of parents who lost a child to death.
If you’re struggling in this area she suggests you find people who will listen to you and show comfort. Allow yourself to feel the grief. Don’t talk yourself out of how you feel. And find support, there are lots of parents going through the same struggle.
Her encouragement: It really does get easier, although you’ll probably feel some of these emotions every year your child packs up and heads off to school. And although your child might not enjoy the experience so much she Lisa writes, “Who knows maybe it makes them realize just how much they are loved.”