Hello!

I have a 19 year old son and a 5.5 year old daughter… Issue is that my son is buying his own home, and once built will of course move in with girlfriend (approx. 5 months time). I am of course proud and very happy for him… but my daughter is having a rather hard time at the thought of her BELOVED brother leaving the family home….even though his new house is barely a 5 min walk from our house now. What do I say or do to help the transition of her big bro leaving? How do you help little siblings when others leave the nest?

Posted by anon, 26/08/13

Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • Same with my eldest brother, I don’t really remember him leaving but he regularly visited, came over for dinner and lots of phone calls.


  • I’m likely to be facing this myself with a 13 year gap between my oldest and youngest so thank you for posting this – I’m going to keep notes for later!


  • Involve her as much as you can in his transition and talk to him to let her know she will be welcome there anytime. Might be a good idea to introduce dance lessons/ sport/ etc to give her a focus which will take her mind off it a bit. It will be OK and well done to your son and his gf! Huge achievement for 19!


  • As long as she sees he is happy she will most likely adapt fine.. it’s not like he’s leaving under bad circumstances (well done on raising your son so well that he’s buying a house at 19..!) i’m sure they will see plenty of each other..she may even enjoy the extra attention she’ll get on her own… best of luck!


  • I remember when my older sister left home – we just had lots of phone calls, emails and visits and it didn’t make it seem to bad!


  • make sure there are plenty of regular visits


  • Make sure he knows how much it’s affecting her so that he’ll make the effort to make time for her once hes moved out. It would be great if she could go over for regular sleep overs. It’s good that he’s only moving a short distance away! :)


  • That’s so cute! I sure he will visit a lot! Prob every night for dinner!


  • How is your little girl going now.:)


  • When I moved in to my new house, without my little brother, we made sure he was always welcome there. He had ‘his own room’ that he used whenever he was there and loved the independence he gained from mum and his dad. He was so proud and adorable that his big sister had her own house and he could go there whenever he wanted!


  • Lots of special treats! :) And special visits to big brother’s new house!


  • Lots of visits and chats on the phone.


  • This is a sibling thing – just visits lots in the beginning and make her feel apart of the move by letting her ‘help’ move house and move her big bro into his new house! Such a sweet story. Thank you. xox


  • Visit him lots particularly in the beginning


  • She will never stop missing him- my younger sister still asks when im coming to visit- make sure they still talk lots and catch up lots:)


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join