Two thirds of parents whose children have flown the nest would gladly have them back again, new research from Premier Inn has revealed.
Ahead of the new university term and moving season, a study of 2,000 mums and dads whose children have left home found the average would like their children to live no further than 14 miles away from home.
But 90 per cent were keen to support their child’s dream and let them have their own adventure.
As such, 53 per cent travelled with them for their moving in day, and 15 per cent stayed in a hotel to ensure their teen was settled.
For more than a tenth of these (14 per cent) this stay ended up being as long as a week to ensure their child was okay.
A spokesperson from Premier Inn, which has also created an ‘Empty Resters’ guide in partnership with content creator and parent Tracey Lea Sayer, to help parents minimise stress through this change, said: ‘It can be hard when your kids leave the nest.
“Driving them up to university, for example, for the first time is the last big thing parents get to do for them before they become an adult.
“Our tips cover lots of the issues parents will face when helping kids leave the nest. From packing advice to making sure kids have essential life skills like how to use a washing machine or plan a food shop, it’s all here.
“Helping to focus on practical matters can be really beneficial for parents who might feel overwhelmed with emotion – and it can also really help them feel useful to their kids.”
It also emerged 36 per cent proceeded to redecorate their teen’s childhood bedroom after they’d shipped out.
But 28 per cent of these simply spruced up the room, making it more comfortable, for when they come back for the holidays.
The study found kids are slightly more likely to move out and still stay local than move a good distance away (57 per cent compared to 41 per cent).
As 29 per cent of parents find their children come home weekly.
Most kids moved away for university (32 per cent), but 29 per cent moved in with a partner and 10 per cent got their own place with friends.
Two thirds (65 per cent) of respondents would be more than happy to have their kids move back in with them, if they needed to.
But 45 per cent said their relationship with their child has improved since they moved out.
However, kids shouldn’t expect a free ride – as 55 per cent of parents would be expecting some cash in rent every month.
It was found that since their child had moved out, 28 per cent are travelling more, 26 per cent have more disposable income and 23 per cent eat out more.
Content creator and parent Tracey Lea Sayer, age 51, from Bromley in South East London said: My eldest daughter, Frankie, flew the nest when she went to university in September 2022.
“Preparing her for her university life helped us bond over the little things that signified a new chapter in her life. From the obligatory shopping trip for essential bits and bobs, to teaching her on how to make the perfect scrambled eggs and navigate laundry instructions.
“Buying essentials in advance made us both feel more prepared, it meant Frankie and I could spend some quality time together too. Equipped with a checklist of essentials well in advance, the daunting moving-in date had arrived.
“Having already familiarised myself with the layout of the city, the location of her accommodation and the proximity of nearby hotels for visits during term time, I found a certain sense of comfort when we arrived in her university city which is a fair distance from home.
“Learning these in advance put my mind to ease and made the moving process a lot smoother.”
SOME OF TRACEY’S TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN LEAVING HOME:
- Spend quality time with your other kids: When Frankie left for university I got to spend real quality time with my younger son. He is quieter and doesn’t need as much attention but now he has me all to himself.
- Create a New Routine: Establish a new daily routine that fits with your new schedule.. Don’t think you will have loads more free time though! The admin that comes with having a child at Uni is relentless. Your ‘To do’ list won’t get any shorter. Student housing, finance and travel all need organising.
- Focus on Self-Care: Prioritise you for once! Your physical and emotional well-being is important. Try to exercise, eat well and de-stress.
- Connect with Other Parents: Sharing your experiences can be hugely comforting. I chat to the ladies at my exercise class who are all going through the same thing. We share notes, get it all off our chests and have a right good laugh about all the things the kids are getting up to.
- Embrace the three Stages: Grief, relief and joy. Of course you are going to be sad and grieve when your child leaves home, but you will get used to it and weirdly quite quickly. There is a sense of relief once they have settled in and made new friends. It took about three months for it to not feel strange just coming home to the boys.
To download the full Empty Resters guide with more tips for empty nesters and their kids, visit www.premierinn.com/empty-resters
To find out more about Premier Inn’s bedding products for your university halls or digs, visit www.premierinnathome.com
To find your nearest Premier Inn and book ahead of moving day, visit www.premierinn.com
