College Prep Mom Style: 6 tips for the soon-to-be empty nester

Preparing for college isn’t all about SAT scores and selecting the perfect school. There is another very important detail that often gets overlooked – what happens to Mom once they leave.

When my daughters were born, I never thought about them being older and not needing me as much. I was so caught up in changing diapers, getting some sleep and – on most days – just hoping for the best. It never entered my mind that one day they could handle it all on their own.

As it happens, time did fly, and that day inevitably came when they were off doing their own thing, leaving me a little lost. It’s bittersweet because I want them to be strong young ladies happily standing on their own two feet but secretly (shhh!), I love being needed. Did I just put that in writing?

No daycare? No baths to give? No play dates? No little ones lying in my lap just because?

Nope. Those days are long gone.

My eldest daughter is a senior in college and my youngest daughter is in 8th grade. I am far from the center of their world these days. So, I had to find ways to fill my time. Since I am all about helping a fellow mama out, I’m sharing some tips so you can prepare for college and beyond.

Here are 6 tips to help you prepare:

Don’t scoff at this because there is no time like the present to focus on yourself! And why not? If there was a rewards program for parenting, you’d be in the Platinum Club. So, allow yourself some me-time. It is well deserved.

Remember that old passion you put off when you had kids or the project you’ve always wanted to start? Well now is your time. Slowly weave a hobby back into your life. If you love doing it, it is a perfect place to redirect some of that misplaced energy.

While misery does love company, think of this more about getting advice from someone who’s been there. It does help knowing you are not in this alone. In fact, there are loads of other parents wondering around college campuses aimlessly after move-in day.

Is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit? Get out there and start exploring. It could be as small as visiting a local town or traveling abroad to your dream destination.

Make a list of 5-10 things you want to do in the next year and start checking them off. It will give you something to focus on and help adjust your thinking to be more about what YOU want. Finally!

While it may not be easy letting them go, the beauty is that you’ll get yourself back in the process.