How Kids Moving Out Makes Parents Happier
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Parents and children have a close relationship throughout their life. They are each other’s backbone during different stages of life. So it’s challenging for parents to cope with the pain of letting their children live alone. However, a recent study (1) by German researchers found that parents live happier when their children move out. However, it does not apply to all regions of the world.?
In this article, let’s find out why parents might not become happier if their kids move out and start their own life without them. But before we jump into the whys, let’s see what the study says.
Kick Your Kids Out To Feel Happier – The Bizarre Study
According to an exciting research study conducted at Heidelberg in Germany, individuals who are parents are happier later in life than their friends who do not have children. Christoph Becker and his group examined the survey results to evaluate the emotional health of 55,000 adults over 50.
The study found that one of the most important aspects is that older kids provide their parents with family support as they grow. This is related to more satisfaction and reduced isolation in later years. The study concluded that “findings show that the conclusion of a negative relationship between kids and happiness and psychological health may not generalize to older persons whose children have frequently left home already.”
So, let’s see why the results came out this way and how kids leaving the nest might affect the parents.
1. Parents Feel Less Stressed
It’s not an understatement to say that parents go through a lot of stress and anxiety whenever they raise their children. Yet, whether it’s their education or daily meals, each parent fulfills their responsibilities wholeheartedly. Additionally, they could have financial difficulties and put their children’s needs before their own. But when their kid moves out to study or earn their bread, they get the satisfaction of completing the job.
Moreover, whenever they see their little ones surviving the world by themselves, they feel proud of themselves for making their children self-sufficient. Hence, they have to think less about their kids’ situation and responsibilities, which makes them more relaxed and less stressed.
2. Parents Get More “Me-Time”
With no responsibility of continuously working for years to give their children the best facilities in every aspect, parents find themselves free for a very long time when their kids move out of their homes. They don’t have to worry about picking their children up from school or making dinner for them. Instead, they relax, enjoy their me-time, spend quality time with their partners and think about themselves and their wish lists. They go on trips with their childhood friends and family or try fun activities that make them much happier than ever in a long time.
3. More Surprise Visits
Who doesn’t love getting surprised by their loved ones? When parents feel low or miss their children, a sudden surprise visit from their not-so-little ones can make them the happiest in a few moments. All their stress and anxiety fade when they meet their beloved children out of the blue.
Parents should also try to stay in contact with their kids during the separation to benefit the youngster. Older people’s mental health depends on social support, and their offspring are prepared to provide them with confidence. Parents won’t feel lonely and will still engage in social connections. At a later age, children may step in to take up the role of carers and offer their parents.
4. Different Societies Can Give Opposite Results
Every coin has 2 sides, and it is similar in this study. Results also showed a mixed reaction from adults from various regions of the world. For example, in countries like Norway and Sweden, where adults get several childcare benefits, the parents there prefer to live with their children as long as possible. In addition, the support system offered to parents in the U.S. differs from that in other nations. Parents with kids at home were marginally happier than their colleagues without children, according to a 2016 survey of 22 countries. (2) So, it is pretty clear how social and economic conditions across different countries can impact the overall mindset of the people.
Parents and children will keep sharing this imperfectly perfect bond throughout their lives. Their codependency will remain intact at every stage of life. However, studies like these can show different perspectives now and then, so it’s essential to maintain this bond as long as possible. Do you believe having children leave home will benefit the well-being of the parents? Have you or a loved one been through a similar situation? Leave your thoughts in the comment section if you like. Happy parenting!
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