Episode Details

We want our kids to grow and stretch their wings, but that doesn't mean every milestone is easy for parents. We talk about the complicated emotions that come with parenting transitions, from starting school to getting a driver's license to moving into a first apartment.

We discuss:

• Why a child's growing independence can bring sadness, anxiety, nostalgia, and even a loss of identity for parents
• The "second arrow of suffering," aka beating yourself up for having perfectly normal feelings about your kids' milestones
• How to talk about your emotions without making your child responsible for them
• Practical ways to navigate difficult transitions during parenting

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

• CDC: Tips for Encouraging Independence
• Collischon, Matthias, et. al for the Advances in Life Course research Journal: Parental well-being when children move out: A panel study on short- and long-term effects
• American Psychological Association: Parents and caregivers are essential to children’s healthy development
• Hartanto, Andree, et. al for the Communications Psychology Journal: Cultural contexts differentially shape parents’ loneliness and wellbeing during the empty nest period

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⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠

What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

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