If you haven't heard of it, empty nest syndrome is what can happen to parents when all their kids move out of the house. This syndrome is characterized by being sad and lonely.
With two out of three children in my family now attending university somewhere in the country, I had to stop and think about what life will be like for my parents and sister still living at home. How empty are their lives now that Kendelle and I have embarked on journeys that will bring us to our destinies?
OK, maybe I exaggerate a bit. I'm quite sure they're fine. And destinies sound a bit extreme.
Except I wonder about Janay.
The kid swears she's so pumped for us all to leave and give her free reign over the household, but I think that she's secretly sad and going through an empty nest syndrome of her own.
So I did a bit of research (wikiHow - legit, right?) into how the youngest children feel when their older (and awesome) siblings leave the house to embark-wait, I already used that line.
Anyway, the article suggests that you stop pretending not to care and ask questions about college life. You know, show an interest. So before you even ask, Janay, I'll let you know the basics: Yes, I am mostly unpacked. Yes, my room is annoyingly hot. Yes, I just woke up and it's 11 a.m. No, I'm not excited for homework. No, I'm sorry, you can't wear my flip-flops, I brought them with me.
Moving on, the article says I'm supposed to invite you to visit me. Which is fine. Other than I already know you're not going to want to sleep on the couch and will insist on sleeping with me. And you're so darn cuddly. I'm not sure I like this plan. Maybe you can visit during the day? Or can I come visit you?
Next, you're supposed to look at the situation from my perspective and be supportive. I like this one. Janay, try to understand that I didn't move away from you, you just happened to live in the house I was moving away from. Kendelle, well, she may have moved away from you. Don't take it personally though. She left Mom and Dad too. And I bet that after a month of cooking for herself and, as a result, eating only toast, she'll be missing all of us and be ready to come home for Thanksgiving.
Finally, get on with your life. In your case, this means decorating the basement downstairs to match your dream Justin Bieber comforter and moving all of the junk Kendelle left in it into one of the upstairs bedrooms. This also means writing the care guide we discussed, to teach our parents how to raise you. Make sure you include your favourite foods to make, and outline when and where Mom and Dad can pick you up after a night out.
Oh, and be ready for when they laugh in your face and make you eat fish or something as punishment for writing the guide. Should they ask, I had no idea about it.
In summary, I don't think much is going to change for you. You're going to be busy with school, volleyball, work and friends. I bet you barely notice that Kendelle isn't there to fight with you during breakfast, or that I'm not around to lend you my shoes. And when you do miss us, Skype, text or call. I'll probably answer. Unless it's before 11 a.m., because we all know I'll be sleeping.
Just when you thought you were free of her! Tonaya may be at school, but she will be continuing to write this column. As always, she can be contacted at tonaya.marr@gmail.com or follow @tellemarr on Twitter. In true Tonaya fashion, she wasted a milestone tweet whining about her sisters. Sounds like a good read to me!
