Reframing Me

Those Left Behind: When the Oldest Child Leaves the Nest

Jennifer Brubaker Episode 154

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Thank you for being here! This episode explores the emotional challenges families face when an older sibling leaves for college, affecting not only parents but younger siblings as well. Using systems theory, it explains how the departure of a family member disrupts the entire family dynamic. Younger siblings often feel sadness, jealousy, and emotional detachment, particularly when they are close in age to the sibling who left. The episode stresses the importance of open communication, emotional support, and redefining family roles to help everyone adjust. Additionally, it covers how college freshmen experience their own adjustment period and emphasizes maintaining connections and creating new routines to help ease the transition for both the family and the student.

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