By Alex Jones, Contributing Writer

Even though adults often like to joke that they will be dancing in the streets when their child leaves for college, the void will quickly hit almost every parent as soon as their child packs his or her bags. Some parents are more affected than others by the absence of their children, but here is some advice for coping with an empty spot at the dinner table.

Parents all need to realize that they spent the last 18 years of their lives helping to prepare their kids for this exact moment. Leaving for college -- or just leaving home to step out into the real world -- is the next chapter in your kids' lives. You need to be emotionally strong to help support them through a time that can be very scary.

Acknowledge your mixed emotions to yourself, but restrain yourself from acting too emotional in front of your child because that can just cause them to worry more as well. iParenting.com expert panelist Laurie Nadel, Ph.D., said parents should make sure not to cry in front of their children, because they are just as scared as you are.

In an article published on Mount Royal College's Web site, Carleton Kendrick compiled a list of tips for parents that include:

Share your feelings with friends who have already been through this experience and know how you're feeling.
Don't be too discouraged, because all the time and energy you had focused on your child you can now be focused on something you are really interested in but have always had to push to the side because you were so busy.
Make sure you trust your child and their ability to make decisions on their own. When they know you trust them it will only make their experience better and you will worry less.
Find a group of other parents who are feeling the same way and use each other as a support group to help each other adjust.
When your child expresses fears and uncertainties about leaving and "making it" in college, let him know that everyone has these misgivings. Tell him you are confident in his abilities to both "make it" and enjoy it. Make references to some of his past challenges and successes.
Don't feel ignored or hurt because your child wants to spend every waking moment with her friends. Desperate attempts to spend an endless summer with friends is a natural response to leaving them.

Although you are far away from your child, you can still stay very involved in their life. Phone calls and e-mails will help both parents and students stay connected. Students will still need the support of their parents, and you can stay involved in their life and still know what is happening with them.

Realize that these students are no longer kids. They are legally adults and living on their own. Don't continue to talk to them as children, but have adult-to-adult conversations with them. It will be hard knowing that your own child will be different when he or she comes home to visit, but because you did such a great job raising your child, he or she is getting the opportunity to succeed.

Additional Resources:

• Leaving Home: Tips To Help You Say Goodbye To Your College Freshman
• The Ups And Downs Of Leaving Home For College