Do You Suffer From Empty Nest Syndrome? 5 Ways to Know!

So, you are an Empty Nester---your last child has grown up and is about to leave home or has already moved out.  On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best, how would your rate your life as an empty nester?  Do you suffer from Empty Nest Syndrome?  

1. Do you grieve the loss of all activity and daily emotional connections you had with your children?
2. Do you have few or no meaningful friendships?
3. Do you look at your spouse and see a stranger?
4. Do you realize that your children were your primary focus all these years?
5. ​Do you find yourself feeling depressed because you are no longer needed as a parent?

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If you answered yes to one or more of these, you might be suffering from a case of Empty Nest Syndrome.  Over time I have come to realize that many parents suffer from this.  There's a feeling of sadness and loss, loneliness and disappointments, and perhaps each day is approached with fear and trepidation because you feel that you have outlived your usefulness and sense of purpose. 

I remember hearing friends talk about how much they missed having their children around and how bad they felt when their children left home.  I even had friends who moved from place to place trying to stay close to their son.  Does this sound familiar?

Well, suffer no more!  The Empty Nest Syndrome  DOES NOT have to be your lot in life.  It all starts with having a purpose in life.  
John Schaar said, "The future is not some place we are going but one we are creating.  The paths are not to be found but made.  And the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination."  What is your purpose in life?