- REALIZE that it is something that affects most parents when one or more of the children leave home.
- RECOGNISE that it often occurs at the same time as other life changes such as menopause, ill-health and retirement. There may be a number of reasons making you feel the way you do.
- ACCEPT that sadness and crying are normal, healthy reactions. Other symptoms such as lack of motivation, sleeplessness and feelings of unworthiness are also experienced by many people.
- BELIEVE it is important to give yourself time to work through your grief. Be gentle with yourself and do not impose expectations on yourself as to how long it should take you to get over the grief.
- SEEK SUPPORT if you feel life is no longer worth living, you are not able to continue with any daily activities and cry excessively.