Let Them Go, Let Them Grow: Navigating September’s Emotional Shifts

September – A Season of Change

As summer begins to fade and the gentle glow of autumn starts to shine, September brings with it a sense of change. A new term, new schools, fresh beginnings. One chapter closing, and another slowly begins to open.

For many women, this can be an emotional time. Perhaps your little one is starting nursery or school for the first time. Maybe your child is heading off to a new school, taking more independence with bus journeys and new influences.

Or perhaps you’re facing one of the biggest transitions yet – watching your child leave home to begin university, sometimes hundreds of miles away.

It's a time of letting go – and that’s not easy. So let’s talk about how to gently navigate this stage of life.

Reflect and Adapt

Take a moment to look back on your journey so far – the highs, the lows, the milestones. It’s okay to have a cry, a good sob, or even wallow for a while. This is new territory, and it might feel as if your foundation or purpose has completely shifted.

We raise our children knowing that one day they’ll leave – and although we want them to flourish and fly, it often feels like it’s come around far too quickly. It’s normal to feel not quite ready. But remember: Let them go and let them grow.

You’ll now be cheering from the sidelines – offering hugs, tissues, and reassuring words, high 5's and sharing in the joy too. You can’t protect them from everything, and that’s part of life. So far, you’ve done your job beautifully.

Make a Plan

Now is the time to rediscover you. For so long your thoughts may have revolved around family routines, school runs, and what to cook for tea. But now, take a deep breath. What have you always wanted to do but never had the time?

Perhaps it’s reading more, socialising, joining a new group, picking up an old hobby or trying something completely new. Start small. Be curious. Give yourself permission to explore new experiences.

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Be Mindful

If you're a lone parent this whole experience may be feeling very painful, even scary so tread very carefully, don't feel you have to be courageous all of the time, allow your feelings to show through, to your child and those closest to you. You are certainly not alone, there are many others in the same position, so please do talk (even if it's to me, I offer a safe non-judgmental confidential space at R&R Therapy) and you could also enjoy a relaxing, moment of self care with one of my holistic therapies.

Think about how you'd like your future to look, what brings you joy, what brings you inner peace?

Create routines, nourish yourself, caring for yourself will ultimately lead to better health.

Always have something to plan for too, even if it's meeting a friend for coffee.

Enjoy

If you’re in a relationship, this is a lovely opportunity to reconnect. Before children, you were partners first – not just mum and dad. This might be the time to rediscover who you both are together and remember you may feel very different to your partner about this experience so its vital you talk and share your feelings with each other.

The Reality

And yes – they do come home! Your family will continue to grow and evolve, and you’ll share wonderful experiences as adults together. You’ll always be “Mum”, always be needed – but in time, you’ll also learn to create your own space and set new boundaries. You’ll be busy being you again.

So, celebrate your incredible achievements. This is a big moment. Treat yourself – maybe with a visit to me here at R&R Therapy in South Gosforth for some much-needed reflexology, reiki, or a blissfully relaxing facial.

And look forward with hope…A beautiful new chapter is just beginning.