Finding it Tough to Sleep Since Daughter Left

[Layla]

Since my daughter left for college, I find it more difficult to sleep. I wonder if she's in bed at college or stressing about her homework, papers, or tests, or if she's out and about. When she was home, I knew she was right down the hall in her bed. Now I have no idea where she is or what she might be doing at night when I'm trying to sleep.


Did anyone else find it tough to sleep when their kids left home? How did you deal with it?

[haidyl]

I can relate to what you just described. We have always been a close-knit family and every night, I always knew that my children would be sleeping in their beds. Occasionally, I would sneak and peep into their rooms, just to see them sleeping soundly. That wasn't the case when they left for college. I constantly worried about where they would be, who they would be with and what they would be doing. It even became worse when my son or daughter wouldn't pick their phone.

[Guineagirl]

Since my daughter left for college, I find it more difficult to sleep. I wonder if she's in bed at college or stressing about her homework, papers, or tests, or if she's out and about. When she was home, I knew she was right down the hall in her bed. Now I have no idea where she is or what she might be doing at night when I'm trying to sleep.


Did anyone else find it tough to sleep when their kids left home? How did you deal with it?

Yes Layla I found it as you describe it.  I think your daughter will be wondering what you’re doing too.  Are you able to check in with her and ask her?  At least then she might let you know how her homework etc is going then you may feel better, I didn’t deal with it very good, I used to cry most nights I still go in her room and think heck she’s not here anymore.  I sleep better when she visits, do you sleep better then too? 

[Layla]

I, too, used to go by my daughter's room and peek in on her when she was home! I found it comforting to see her peacefully sleeping.

Yes, I definitely slept better when she came home for fall break. My worries were more at ease. I know I'll always worry about her, but I hope that my anxiety calms down some over time.

[haidyl]

I, too, used to go by my daughter's room and peek in on her when she was home! I found it comforting to see her peacefully sleeping.

Yes, I definitely slept better when she came home for fall break. My worries were more at ease. I know I'll always worry about her, but I hope that my anxiety calms down some over time.

The anxiety will calm down after a while but the progress depends on how you respond to issues. Over time, I realized that they were also getting accustomed to their environment. There is this time when my son called and shared how he had found it hard to adapt to the new life in college. He couldn't even bring himself to sharing this on phone. I hope you get to sleep better, with time.