Can "Empty Nest Syndrome" Lead to an Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on April 29, 2020 in Divorce

For many people, having a child and starting a family is a life goal. Having children can be extremely fulfilling, but they do not need to be taken care of forever. Eventually, children grow up and head off to college or move out of the home. During this time, many parents develop feelings of loss and emptiness. These feelings have been named “empty nest syndrome,” and they can lead to a great deal of stress for many parents that can affect their marriages. It is not uncommon for couples to have marital issues after their children have left the home. In some cases, the issues in the marriage could lead to a divorce.

What Is Empty Nest Syndrome?

If you have children, you have spent years, even decades, dedicating yourself to them. You took care of them while they were babies, helped them through the tough adolescent years, and guided them through heartbreak and other difficulties as teenagers. Now, they are ready to leave the home and explore the world. You are left behind, with the same home, same life, and same spouse, and you may struggle to adjust to your children being gone. The feeling of loss and emptiness that you may experience is known as empty nest syndrome.

Dealing With Empty Nest Syndrome

When your last child has left the home, you may begin to focus more on your spouse, for better or for worse. In some cases, there may have been issues present throughout the marriage that you never had time to address. Now that you have the time, the issues can seem even more intense and problematic. You and your spouse may have grown apart during the years of your marriage, focusing all of your time on your children and not enough time on each other. In this type of situation, you may feel as if you do not even know who your spouse is anymore. Feeling the effects of empty nest syndrome does not have to result in divorce, but it can often highlight issues that are already present in your marriage. If you are unable to resolve these issues, divorce may ultimately be your best option.

Our DuPage County Divorce Attorneys Are Here for You

It is normal for married couples to go through periods of difficulty in their marriage. When the last child leaves the family home, this can trigger issues in the marriage that may not always be fixable. At the Goostree Law Group, we understand how difficult it can be to consider divorce, especially after your children have left the home. Our skilled Wheaton, IL divorce lawyers can answer any questions you may have about the divorce process or about your specific situation. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 630-364-4046. 

Sources:

https://www.liveabout.com/empty-nest-syndrome-in-your-marriage-2300814

https://www.griefandsympathy.com/emptynestdivorce.html