And the crazy thing is, it can affect everyone, not just the one who left home.

Maybe you are struggling with this in your home.

• A child off at college
• A recent move of your child
• A child in elementary school
• A mom’s day out

All of this is normal. Why? Because we are relational beings and we desire connection with those we know, like, and trust. And for the most part, that’s you, Mom and Dad.

But it doesn’t have to be a hard struggle. It can be something that may have slight growing pains, but not severe ones.

So what can you do if you are experience homesickness in your family?

You gotta create a haven of peace in the unknown.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Create a haven of peace!

When you create a haven of peace, your focus comes from the point of where you are. So you are looking at where you hang your hat. This is where you want to create a haven of peace; a place to rest and restore.

And I say it that way, because some people feel like if they call it home, then it doesn’t “feel” right. So call it something else. Because your child might think you are trying to take something away.

The purpose is to create a haven of peace where they can thrive in their new adventure.

However, I want to give you some tangible ways you can help overcome homesickness or at least lessen the feeling.

1. Create familiarity. This is bringing comfort to where you are. Send a care package specific to their likes. Think of this comfort as little surprises that remind your child, you’re still here.
2. Plan catch-up chats. Here you get to sit and enjoy each other’s company and listen to what has happened. It’s your reminiscing time. These can be daily, weekly, or if you want too, they can be more frequent.
3. Reverse the cycle. Encourage your child to reach out when they need to. This is where they get their wings and fly. Here you are no longer creating that safety zone. They are living out what they want in order to create their haven of peace.

You want to encourage the change. But don’t think of it as change. Talk about it as if it’s an adventure, a trip to a new island.

You want them to see the positive side of the adventure.

• new friends
• new favorite restaurant
• new shops
• new schedules
• new church
• new community

We all like comfort, but we also are inspired by the newness of the opportunity. It’s the grand paradox. What repels, attracts.

So you have to attract what doesn’t appear to bring comfort to the point where you can release them to feel even more comfort.

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“