The Empty Nest

More than half a million parents confront the empty nest for the first time each year. It is one of the most challenging phases of parenting, often creating feelings of loss, lack of purpose and crisis of identity which can lead to depression. Yet it receives little recognition. And contrary to popular opinion it doesn't only affect women who've put their careers on hold: working mothers and fathers suffer too. Equally, it can be a period of liberation and discovery of new challenges, when marriages long overstressed by childcare can be rejuvenated.

The book will include plenty of people's experiences; expert comment and advice; and there will be a practical strand full of ideas, inspiration and tips. There will be a strong focus on the positive as well as how to handle the changing relationship with your children to ensure a fulfilling and good relationship going forward, an area of parenting often ignored.

“ 'A big hug of a book. Manages to be both realistic and optimistic - and not at all patronising - at what can be a bleak and frightening time. A lifesaver, opening up all kinds of possibilities - Aggie MacKenzie, TV presenter and journalist 'In THE EMPTY NEST Celia Dodd reminds us that our children continue to need us, just as we continue to vTerri Apter, author of The Myth of Maturity: What Teenagers need from parents to become adults.”

'A big hug of a book. Manages to be both realistic and optimistic - and not at all patronising - at what can be a bleak and frightening time. A lifesaver, opening up all kinds of possibilities - Aggie MacKenzie, TV presenter and journalist 'In THE EMPTY NEST Celia Dodd reminds us that our children continue to need us, just as we continue to v

Terri Apter, author of The Myth of Maturity: What Teenagers need from parents to become adults.

Celia Dodd is an author and journalist with more than thirty years of experience covering everything from relationships, sex and health to education ad family life. Her work has appeared in the Times, Independent, Daily Mail, Guardian, The Daily Telegraph among many others.

She is the author of Not Fade Away (Bloomsbury, 2018) and The Empty Nest (Piatkus, 2011).

More than half a million parents confront the empty nest for the first time each year. It is one of the most challenging phases of parenting, often creating feelings of loss, lack of purpose and crisis of identity which can lead to depression. Yet it receives little recognition. And contrary to popular opinion it doesn't only affect women who've put their careers on hold: working mothers and fathers suffer too. Equally, it can be a period of liberation and discovery of new challenges, when marriages long overstressed by childcare can be rejuvenated.The book will include plenty of people's experiences; expert comment and advice; and there will be a practical strand full of ideas, inspiration and tips. There will be a strong focus on the positive as well as how to handle the changing relationship with your children to ensure a fulfilling and good relationship going forward, an area of parenting often ignored.

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