Inspired Mom MDs

70: How to Deal with an Empty Nest as a Doctor Mom

Cindy Van Praag, MD Episode 70

Find the full transcript and bonus resources at inspiredmommds.com/70.

I didn’t cry when we toured the college. 

I didn’t cry when he picked his dorm. 

But as I held a new tourniquet, a roll of gauze and box of bandages in my hands, tears came quietly.

This was it. It was real.

My son is leaving for college in a few weeks. And here I am, pouring all my energy into packing a medical kit. 

If you’re navigating the empty nest as a doctor mom, you know this transition hits differently.

Being a physician adds another layer of knowing too much. I’ve seen what can go wrong. 

So maybe subconsciously I was building a tether made of medical supplies. 

Surely, if I pack the best blood clotting powder everything will be ok, right?

I know this is a normal transition, but that doesn’t make it any less bittersweet. 

If you’re packing up your kid soon to leave for college or simply wondering how you’ll feel when that day comes, this episode is for you.

Find the full transcript and bonus resources at inspiredmommds.com/70 

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for medical advice or care. I’m a board-certified physician, but this content isn’t connected to my clinical practice, and no doctor-patient relationship is formed here. Please always talk to your own health professional about any mental or physical health concerns. And as always, take what helps and leave the rest. Please see InspiredMomMDs.com for full legal disclaimer.

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I help physician moms take back control and prioritize what matters most so they can thrive in private practice and at home.