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We want our kids to grow and stretch their wings, but that doesn't mean every milestone is easy for parents. We talk about the complicated emotions that come with parenting transitions, from starting school to getting a driver's license to moving into a first apartment.
We discuss:
Why a child's growing independence can bring sadness, anxiety, nostalgia, and even a loss of identity for parents
The "second arrow of suffering," aka beating yourself up for having perfectly normal feelings about your kids' milestones
How to talk about your emotions without making your child responsible for them
Practical ways to navigate difficult transitions during parenting
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:
CDC: Tips for Encouraging Independence
Collischon, Matthias, et. al for the Advances in Life Course research Journal: Parental well-being when children move out: A panel study on short- and long-term effects
American Psychological Association: Parents and caregivers are essential to children’s healthy development
Hartanto, Andree, et. al for the Communications Psychology Journal: Cultural contexts differentially shape parents’ loneliness and wellbeing during the empty nest period
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