Almost four in 10 parents say they felt closer to their child – after they moved out

 Two thirds of parents whose children have flown the nest would gladly have them back again.

A study of 2,000 mums and dads whose children have left home found they would like their children to live no further than 14 miles away on average.

But 90 percent were keen to support their child’s dream and let them have their own adventure.

As a result, 53 percent travelled with them for their moving in day, and 15 percent stayed in a hotel to ensure they were settled.

For 14 percent of those, this stay ended up being as long as a week to ensure their child was okay.

The research was commissioned by Premier Inn, which has created a downloadable ‘Empty Resters’ guide in partnership with content creator and parent Tracey Lea Sayer, to help parents through this change.

She said: ‘It can be hard when your kids leave the nest.

“Driving them up to university for the first time, for example, is the last big thing parents get to do for them before they become an adult.

“Our tips cover lots of the issues parents will face when helping kids leave the nest.

“From packing advice to making sure kids have essential life skills like how to use a washing machine or plan a food shop, it’s all here.

“Helping to focus on practical matters can be really beneficial for parents who might feel overwhelmed with emotion – and it can also really help them feel useful to their kids.”

The study also revealed 36 per cent proceeded to redecorate their child’s bedroom after they’d shipped out.

But 28 per cent of these simply spruced up the room, making it more comfortable, for when they come back for the holidays.

It also emerged kids are slightly more likely to move out and stay local than move a good distance away (57 per cent compared to 41 per cent).

And 29 per cent of parents find their children come home weekly.

Most kids moved away for university (32 percent), but 29 percent moved in with a partner and 10 percent got their own place with friends.

But while 65 percent would be happy to have their kids move back in with them if needed, 45 percent said their relationship with their child has improved since they left.

However, kids shouldn’t expect a free ride – as 55 percent of the parents polled, via OnePoll, would be expecting some cash in rent every month.

And their child moving out has led to 28 percent travelling more, 26 percent having more disposable income and 23 percent eating out more.

Tracey Lea Sayer, aged 51, from Bromley, South East London, said: My eldest daughter, Frankie, flew the nest when she went to university in September 2022.

“Preparing her for her university life helped us bond over the little things that signified a new chapter in her life.

“From the obligatory shopping trip for essential bits and bobs, to teaching her how to make the perfect scrambled eggs and navigate laundry instructions.

“Buying essentials in advance made us both feel more prepared, it meant Frankie and I could spend some quality time together too.

“Equipped with a checklist of essentials well in advance, the daunting moving-in date had arrived.

“Having already familiarised myself with the layout of the city, the location of her accommodation and the proximity of nearby hotels for visits during term time, I found a certain sense of comfort when we arrived in her university city, which is a fair distance from home.

“Learning these in advance put my mind to ease and made the moving process a lot smoother.”