Word origin

今天的 Buzzword Empty Nester是由Empty和 Nester 组成，Nester的字面意思是“筑巢鸟”。

鸟类在占领巢区、选好配偶之后，才开始筑巢安家；而人类在奋斗打拼，结婚以后才考虑买房。二者是不是很像？

当雏鸟羽翼渐丰满，不再需要父母的哺育，可以独立生活时，它们便会离开父母的巢穴，天空才是属于它们的世界。

所以， 空了巢的 Empty Nester 会被用来比喻“空巢父母”，他们可能会经历“空巢综合症”-Empty nest syndrome.

Empty nest syndrome isn't a clinical diagnosis. Instead, it is a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home.

“空巢综合症”并不是病症，它指的是家中最后一个孩子离开家时，父母会感到悲伤和失落的现象。

Although you might actively encourage your children to become independent, the experience of letting go can be painful. You might find it difficult to suddenly have no children at home who need your care. You might miss being a part of your children's daily lives — as well as the constant companionship.

虽然父母嘴上说着“你们要学会独立”，可孩子真正离家，又难免觉得“放手不易”。习惯了平素里孩子在家“吵吵巴火”，突然安静下来还真不适应。

You might also worry about your children's safety and whether they'll be able to take care of themselves. You might struggle with the transition if your last child leaves the nest a little earlier or later than you expected.

孩子在外面吃的好不好？有没有忘记穿秋裤？是不是走路时玩手机...当父母的都有一颗操不完的心。

If you have only one child or strongly identify with your role as parent, you might have a particularly difficult time adjusting to an empty nest.

尤其是独生子女的父母，可能会有一段特别困难的时间来适应空巢生活。

Empty Nester

What's the impact of empty nest syndrome?

Research suggested that parents dealing with empty nest syndrome experienced a profound sense of loss that might make them vulnerable to depression, alcoholism, identity crisis and marital conflicts.

有研究表明，遭受“空巢综合症”的父母会感到一种深深的失落感，这可能会直接或间接导致他们抑郁、酗酒、身份危机和婚姻冲突。

Empty Nester

Signs of Empty-nest syndrome:

Loss of purpose 失去了目的感

Frustration over lack of control 因为失去控制而产生的挫败感

Emotional distress 情绪困扰

Marital stress 婚姻危机

Anxiety about your children 对于孩子的焦虑感

Recent studies suggest that an empty nest might reduce work and family conflicts, and can provide parents with many other benefits.

但近来也有研究显示，孩子离家，日常家务工作和家庭冲突也相应减少了许多，从这个方面来说，倒是空巢的优点所在。

When the last child leaves home, parents have a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests for which they previously might not have had time.

而且，少了孩子这个“电灯泡”，父母也可以好好过过清净的二人世界，重寻生活的激情，培养新的爱好。

Empty Nester

How to cope with empty nest syndrome?

不论是空巢父母，还是离巢子女，了解“空巢综合症”更有利于我们关心自己，关心家人。

Accept the timing. 接受作息的不同

试着接受孩子的作息时间，年轻人也许有自己的作息安排，没办法9点上床睡觉，6点起床吃早饭，父母可以试着关注孩子离家后更需要的生活技能。

Avoid comparing your child's timetable to your own experience or expectations. Instead, focus on what you can do to help your child succeed when he or she does leave home.

Keep in touch. 保持联系

科技时代，相隔万里一个视频电话也能看到彼此。父母们不妨和孩子保持通话，信息，偶尔拜访来缓解相思之苦。

You can continue to be close to your children even when you live apart. Make an effort to maintain regular contact through visits, phone calls, emails, texts or video chats.

Seek support. 寻求寄托

真实的感受不用憋在心里，可以向朋亲人友倾诉；感到无法缓解的抑郁也可以咨询心理医生。

Share your feelings with loved ones and friends whose children have recently left home. If you feel depressed, consult your doctor or a mental health provider.

Stay positive. 保持积极心态

想想孩子不在家，是不是不用操心看电视打扰ta学习，做饭ta不爱吃... 拥有了大把的个人时间，自由自在多开心~

Thinking about the extra time and energy you might have to devote to your marriage or personal interests after your last child leaves home might help you adapt to this major life change.

如何预防？

Can I prevent empty nest syndrome?

提前做好适应计划，不论是工作上还是生活上都可以去做新的尝试，寻找新的机会。

找到自己的爱好，迎接新的挑战，让自己忙起来，就无暇顾及那种无助的失落感了。

If your last child is about to leave home and you're worried about empty nest syndrome, plan ahead.

Look for new opportunities in your personal and professional life. Keeping busy or taking on new challenges at work or at home can help ease the sense of loss that your child's departure might cause.

因为，我们首先是我们自己，然后才是孩子的父母；首先要爱我们自己，然后才能更好的爱别人。

新词拓展

Example 1：

-You can finally focus on your own interests now that you’re an empty nester.

Example 2：

-Cruise companies tend to cater to empty nesters who finally have both the time and the money to travel the world.

Key Words

本 期 关 键 词

Empty nester

空巢父母

Syndrome

症候群/综合症

To let go

放手

Companionship

陪伴

Alcoholism

酗酒

Identity crisis

身份危机

Marital conflicts

配偶间的冲突