DEAR DEIDRE: NOW my son is at university I am struggling to cope.
I can’t stop crying and spend hours moping around the house. I have tried so hard to think about the positives.
For years he has been growing up and becoming more independent – and I know moving away to study is simply the last chapter of the process.
I’m a 51-year-old single mum and my son is 19. We’ve always been close and share the same sense of humour.
The silence in the house is deafening and everything reminds me of him.
I don’t want to keep calling him or telling him how much I miss him. I want him to be happy and make friends, even though I work I feel so lonely.
Get in touch with the Dear Deidre team
Every problem gets a personal reply from one of our trained councillors.
Send an email to [email protected]
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.
DEIDRE SAYS: Empty-nest syndrome has hit you hard.
You’ve done a brilliant job bringing your son up and preparing him for this next stage in his life.
Now it is time to focus on your own happiness.
Check out meetup.com for ideas about local activities where you will meet others. My support pack Feeling Lonely? will help too.
MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE