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Be sensitive to the needs of your parents...from an exiting child's perspectiveApr 24 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Be sensitive to the needs of your parents. Make the move as gradually as possible, and let them know they are still important in your life.
I am to oldest of three girls, and I left for college three years ago. My sister, who is two years younger than I left for college this past August. Despite having my youngest sister home for another four years, my parents have begun to experience what is called "empty nest syndrome". First, let me explain my parent's situation. They were married for nine and a half years before I entered the family. They experienced life on their own for many years, and clearly remember the days when they had no children to worry about. The freedom and times alone are something they always looked forward to...until the day arrived. My youngest sister, Tracy, is a very independent child. despite being at home, she insists on having her space and being left alone. "I do it myself" has been her motto since she learned to talk. Where does this leave my parents? Dealing with the reality that two of their children live away at college for the majority of the year, and their baby doesn't need them for as much help. The result of these changes have been very evident to me over the last year. I get a lot more e-mail from my parents, and those e-mail contain more "I love yous" and "take care of yourself" than they ever did. They also do more little things, such as calling me, sending me money, and visit me than they did in the past two years. Granted, my little sister is still at home and does have her loving moments, but it has been hard on my parents to watch two of their three girls leaving. The realization of what is to come has set in, and my parents are having a hard time as the face the fact that they will be alone once again three short years from now. As an adult away from home, I have found several things that help make things easier for my parents. I will try to take time out of my busy life at college to call them just to chat. These surprises phone calls are certain to brighten up their day. We often talk for at least an hour as I can not afford to call often. These times on the phone are truly special as hearing the voice makes them seem so much closer. Letters and e-mail also makes things a little easier. My parents feel both loved and missed when I write them. A letter or lengthy e-mail (or even a quick one that just says "Busy, but I love you") makes them realize that I do remember them and I do think of them despite being miles away. I can't run to them with all my problems, but I still ask for advice when I need it. Knowing that I still need them and am thinking about them really helps. Surprise visits home, though rare, really make my parents happy. I think I have only done this once, but it made my parents day. The were excited to see me, and the visit was nice to have when they wouldn't see me otherwise for another month. It was a special time together, and we treasure the short times we have together like that. From experience, gradual leaving helps. Because I am in college and not yet well versed on being on my own, I often turn to my parents, and do the small things that show you are thinking about them. This makes parting a little easier to deal with.  |
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