When the kids finally leave home to pursue college or start their own family, couples in Texas find themselves in a situation usually referred to as “empty nest” syndrome. While some couples see this as an opportunity to do new and novel activities, others find themselves at odds—and sometimes divorced. Counseling in San Antonio could benefit the couples who are having a challenge in this new stage in their life. Times Herald’s Nicole Hayden writes how living in an empty nest gives couples a chance to spread their wings.
Empty nest syndrome changes the daily lives of couples and single parents. Some parents may divorce because they were only staying together for their children’s sakes, while others may take the opportunity to relight the spark.
The reason for being together
Couples who raise children know that this is a team effort. At times, parents neglect their own needs for the sake of the youngsters. Once the kids are gone, some couples realize they have fallen out of love for each other and see no point in staying together. Relationship healers like Sherwood Couples Counseling believe that couples who have shared visions and aspirations, and who trust and commit to one another, should stay together for the long haul.
Lots of time for rediscovery
Psychologists suggest that couples who remain together should literally start a new life given the situation. Whether it’s a new hobby, or traveling to an exotic destination, the point is to do something together that wouldn’t have been possible while the kids were still around. Psychologist Huilan Zhang, in the article, says: “List your personal goals; they are different now than when you had kids. Set new goals, whether it’s learning how to cook or garden or travel. Set a new routine.”
This newfound freedom also allows couples to fall in love all over again. Through the years, both partners certainly would have changed somehow since before the children were born. This is the perfect time to get to know each other once more. The article continues “… marriages can improve after kids leave home because it gives couples a chance to get to know each other again and even renew their marriage vows.”
Resolution
There may have been unmanaged conflict or issues that couldn’t be resolved in the children’s presence. Couples should consult a San Antonio counseling service, such as Sherwood Couples Counseling, to start again with a clean slate. In any case, the timing to work these out couldn’t be better.
(Source: “An empty nest gives couples a chance to soar”, 26 September 2014, Times Herald)