How to deal with the loneliest weekend in parenthood: Psychologist reveals step-by-step guide for fixing broken heart after dropping your child off at university

The dawn of a new academic year sees thousands of parents, grandparents and guardians across Britain bid a heartbreaking farewell to their children as they head off to university. For many, the feeling is synonymous with grief or a broken heart - signifying the end of an era as your child transitions into adulthood and becomes more independent.In the early years of parenthood, a moment alone was utter bliss. But now, becoming an empty nester overnight may feel daunting and isolating.After 18 years of being at your child's beck and call, navigating a new and profound physical distance is a terrifying shift few openly discuss, but one many parents will sympathise with greatly.Fortunately, Marygrace Anderson, leading hypnotherapist, psychologist and founder of MG Hypnosis, is on hand to provide the ultimate tips and tricks to survive the loneliest weekend in parenthood. She told the Daily Mail: 'Your teenager is beginning an exciting new chapter of their life and this can totally become a new chapter for you too, so embrace the opportunities and possibilities. 'Above all, remember to celebrate the new adventure, celebrate the new chapter and help them settle in by reminding them of all their skills.'From how often to text and visit your child and how to fill your child-free evenings productively, read on for the ultimate guide on navigating the sheer heartbreak that can follow university drop-off... Marygrace Anderson, leading hypnotherapist, psychologist and founder of MG Hypnosis, is on hand to provide the ultimate tips and tricks to survive the loneliest week in parenthood: dropping your child off at university 1. Don’t rush to fill their empty bedroom - your brain needs time to get used to the change firstMs Anderson: Don’t immediately redecorate their room, pack everything away or try to fill the empty space. Your brain needs time to process them leaving for university by still seeing their room. This is a huge transition, and sometimes we need to allow ourselves to actually feel that change before we can begin adjusting to it, otherwise it could stop us from moving on.To help you gradually move to your new normal, sitting in that feeling, although it might feel sad and uncomfortable, is part of the healing process. If you think that totally redecorating their room by turning it into, for instance, an office or a gym might help, it could actually set you further back. You also may upset your child, who of course might now be an adult, but mentally feeling like they still have a space at home can encourage feelings of safety and comfort - knowing they can always go back while they make their way into the big wide world will encourage them to visit more often when they can.2. Prepare yourself for that ‘school-night feeling’- Sunday night may be when it really hits Ms Anderson: You may be absolutely fine during the university drop-off itself because there is so much going on and adrenaline is at a high. But that first Sunday night can be when it really hits you. We all know that familiar ‘Sunday night feeling’ - feeling a little down, anxious or nervous about the week ahead. When you're already feeling more emotionally vulnerable, suddenly realising they're not there can make their absence feel even greater.For the first few months, try dedicating Sunday nights to a project or activity - whether that's learning a fun new skill you can do while watching TV, like knitting, reading a book, seeing a friend or going to the cinema. Choose something easy and seamless that you don't have to go too far out of your way to do, but that helps keep your mind positive and active. Try not to turn to social media to fill the time, as getting into a ‘scroll hole’ may leave you feeling worse rather than better.3. Don’t stalk them on social media - or constantly call, text and check their location Ms Anderson: It is very easy to become a little overbearing or hyper-protective without even realising it. Of course you miss them dearly, which can lead you to checking their social media, seeing when they were last on WhatsApp, checking their location, calling them or sending another text because they haven't replied. Try and understand what is healthy and retain a healthy balance. Constantly checking up on them is only soothing your anxiety, not theirs, and you don't want to be seen as being needy, especially as you'd love to see them soon.Try and remember that they need space to make new friends, settle into university life and start creating their own path. Perhaps agree a regular time for a phone call, so you have something to look forward to and aren't constantly waiting to hear from them.If you also get an urgent urge to call or text them, try and give yourself 20 minutes before you do it, to see if your conscious mind still wants to make that call or if the moment has passed.4. Instead of focusing on what isn’t there, shift your mindset to what is ahead Ms Anderson: Hypnotherapy techniques such as visualisation can be useful here. Instead of constantly focusing on what isn't there- the empty bedroom, the empty chair at dinner or a house that is so quiet you can hear a pin drop - try and shift your mindset and train yourself to build a mental picture of what is ahead.Visualise them coming home for Christmas or think about the stories they'll have to tell you, how much they may have changed and grown, and the quality time you can have together.One simple hypnotherapy technique is to slow down your breathing, relax and really picture that moment. Imagine them walking back through the front door, what you might say to each other and even the sound of their voice. The more detail you can add, the better. Then when your mind goes back to that empty bedroom or quiet house, try bringing that picture back instead.You aren't trying to convince yourself that you don't miss them - of course you do - but you're shifting your focus from what you've lost today to what you still have to look forward to.5. Let’s face it - you could be facing griefMs Anderson: This is a huge transition for you both. But while your teenager is looking at a glass half full - very exciting times ahead for them, brand new friends, Freshers' Week, university work, lectures, nights out - you may be looking at the glass half empty, essentially an empty nest.For many parents, this can be the biggest change in their lives since their child was born. It is understandably a difficult and emotional time, and you shouldn't feel embarrassed if you're struggling with it.Make sure you have a support system around you. Talk to friends who may be going through exactly the same thing, or who'll understand or relate, and don't keep everything inside.If you feel like you need therapy to help you through the transition, that's nothing to feel embarrassed about either. Trying to work through your anxious feelings and thoughts and stop repeatedly dwelling on what has changed can help you move forward.6. Your child is starting a new chapter - perhaps it’s time for you to start one too Ms Anderson: For 18 years, so much of your life may have revolved around your child - school runs, packed lunches, homework, exams, lifts, meals and simply knowing that they will walk through the door at the end of the day. When that suddenly stops, it can leave a huge void.Rather than desperately trying to fill that space, think about what you want this next stage of your life to look like -think about all those things in life you put on hold or put off. There may even be things you've put off for years, or even friends or family you haven't really had real time for in years. Or that expensive trip or holiday you were dreaming of...Your teenager is beginning an exciting new chapter of their life and this can totally become a new chapter for you too, so embrace the opportunities and possibilities.Above all, remember to celebrate the new adventure, celebrate the new chapter and help them settle in by reminding them of all their skills.