My daughter is going to uni. How can I cope with the loss?

I am a single mum to an 18-year-old daughter.

- Annalisa Barbieri

It has always been just us two, and we have a very open, supportive, healthy relationship.She is going to university this year and has recently developed a new friendship group I know less well than her old friends. They all seem friendly, look out for each other and don’t let anyone go home on their own, etc. At first, I found her being out late with her friends particularly worrying. It took me a few days to get used to this new part of life, but we talked and I got across to her that it’s purely me worrying about her safety - I think she felt I was annoyed with her.

Now one friend is becoming a boyfriend and staying over. It seems very fast and I’m struggling to take it in. This empty nest is happening more suddenly than I expected and I miss her even though she hasn’t left yet.

I know I have to just be there for her and keep communication channels open. But should I do more? I suppose there are two issues: is this OK for her; and how do I get through this period?