Courteney Cox’s daughter is in college, says being an empty nester is ‘an adjustment’

It’s every parent’s goal: to raise a child who is responsible, self-sufficient, and living their best life. But no one said it was easy when that goal comes to fruition and your child actually leaves the nest. 

Courteney Cox recently opened up about the complicated feelings that came along with sending her daughter Coco, 19, off to college.

“I miss that girl every minute,” Cox told Marie Claire. “I expected her to need [me] more than she does,” adds Cox. “It’s an adjustment.”

My oldest son turns 17 today and, let me tell you, all of this tracks. All. Of. It. The mere thought of him leaving home in less than two years feels like a literal gut punch. I get breathless anytime I think about it. Honestly, I feel panicky and a little weeping just typing these words.

It’s all so confusing. Wasn’t it just a week ago that he needed help tying his shoes? Who is this six foot tall person who gets himself up to early morning football practice, does his own laundry (most of the time), studies for exams without reminders, and is out of the house more than he’s in it? What is happening?!?

It’s a strange transition, for sure, and Cox told Marie Claire that she’s distracting herself with one of her favorite activities: a super-deep clean. While I don’t think this is how I’ll choose to comfort myself when my kids leave the nest, I do understand the urge.

Cox isn’t the first, or only, celebrity to speak about the strange transition after a child leaves home. 

“We became empty nesters,” Kelly Ripa shared on Live with Kelly and Ryan in 2021. “We took our youngest son to college, we dropped him off. It was hard. It was really hard.” 

When Sarah Jessica Parker’s oldest son left for college, she shared this touching post on Instagram. 

“In the span of 7 days. One crosses the threshold into his freshman year of college. The other 2 into 7th grade. The house is different. We are different. They need us more. And far less. So many know. Gutted at the time passed. Passing. Exhilarated by the possibilities that await them. The love. The love. The love. X, SJ.”

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There will likely be tears. Even former First Lady Michelle Obama admitted to shedding a few tears. 

“There were [tears]. We were really good about it, you know, we didn’t want to embarrass her because she had roommates,” Obama told TODAY in 2019. “When we got into a car … and then Sasha drove off on her own and said that last goodbye, that’s when we were like (crying noises).” 

Like Cox said, it’s complicated – not to mention unsettling and a teensy bit sad – when our kids don’t need us like they used to, but ultimately it is a good thing. 

“It means you did your job right,” Reese Witherspoon told People earlier this year. “And I’m so proud of my kids. They’re thriving in the world and I’m so happy for them.”