The day your child packs up for college, moves out, or starts their own life can feel like a moment you’ve been preparing for, and perhaps dreading, for years. You want them to thrive and spread their wings, but at the same time, your heart aches at the thought of a quieter house and a new family rhythm. This mix of pride and grief is what many parents experience as empty nest grief. It’s more than just “missing your kids.” It’s a real transition that can stir up feelings of