Emotional Well-being: How Parents Can Support Their Adult Children After They Move Out
Watching your child move out of home can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While they’re embracing independence and new opportunities, parents often find themselves concerned about their child’s emotional well-being. Adjusting to life on their own, managing daily responsibilities, and dealing with unexpected challenges can take a toll. As a parent, you still play an important role in supporting their emotional health during this transition. Here’s how you can help:
1. Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Moving out doesn’t mean they no longer need your advice or support. Regular check-ins—whether through phone calls, texts, or video chats—can make a huge difference. Knowing that they have someone to turn to during the ups and downs can ease feelings of isolation or loneliness. Encourage them to talk about how they’re feeling, especially during tough times. Being a consistent presence in their life can provide emotional stability.
2. Help Them Build a Support Network
While staying connected with family is important, encourage your young adult to also build new connections in their community, workplace, or tertiary education. Whether it’s making friends with neighbours, joining local clubs, or participating in work or social events, having a solid support system can boost emotional resilience. You can help by gently nudging them to get involved and reminding them how important it is to have a strong social circle.
3. Encourage Healthy Habits
Living independently means they’re responsible for their own well-being. Encourage your child to prioritize self-care by exercising regularly, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Emotional well-being is closely linked to physical health, and sometimes, simply reminding them to take care of themselves can make a big impact. If they’re feeling stressed, suggest mindfulness activities or using apps like Headspace or Calm to help manage anxiety.
4. Be There for the Ups and Downs
Moving out can be exciting, but it’s also normal for young adults to experience emotional struggles, from homesickness to stress over finances or work. Let them know it’s okay to have bad days and reassure them that everyone faces challenges in their transition to adulthood. Instead of trying to fix their problems, offer a listening ear and encourage them to take it one step at a time. If they’re struggling with mental health, direct them to resources like Beyond Blue or Lifeline for additional support.
5. Foster Their Independence
As much as you want to help, it’s important to give your child the space to figure things out on their own. This builds confidence and resilience. Encourage them to tackle issues independently but let them know you’re always there if they truly need help. Offering guidance without stepping in will give them the tools to manage future challenges on their own.
For more tips and resources on supporting young adults through this transition, explore Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au) and ReachOut Australia (www.reachout.com).
For this and a whole lot of other information about how to help your young adult navigate independent living - see the course outline below: Life Skills - Moving Out of Home & Beyond. It includes how to develop a life plan, financial management and saving, managing risks and emergencies, cooking and regular routines. There’s a new guide on How to Get a Job - with tips and expectations from and employers perspective.