Being a parent is something that everyone couldn’t fully prepare for. The emotional roller coaster that comes with it is undeniably out of this world. Just like what the famous “This is Us” actor Justin Hartley felt when his daughter, Isabella Justice Hartley, finally went to college.
During an interview with Jennifer Hudson on her daytime talk show, Justin opened up about how he felt after his daughter decided to move out for college. He admitted it was tough, and even though he thought he was ready for it, it was still hard to see them off.
RELATED: David Letterman Embraces the Empty Nest Phase as Son Harry Begins College Journey
Born in 2004, Isabella Justice Hartley is the teenage daughter of the famous actor Justin Hartley with ex-wife Lindsay Korman. In 2022, Isabella finally decided to start a life away from home when she enrolled at the University of California in Santa Cruz. Despite being proud of her daughter’s decision to be independent, the journey has been quite emotional for Justin.
In the interview, he continued by stating that although it may seem fine at first when they’re actually gone, there is no doubt that Isabella will be busy with university, friends, and life in general, so Justin is apparent that he’ll only receive one or two texts from his daughter, which he did clear out to be normal, but he honestly stated that he hates the idea of it.
RELATED: Discovering All About Jennifer Lopez’s Son, Maximilian David Muñiz
It’s clear that he is not ready for it yet, but he is trying to embrace everything wholeheartedly. After all, being independent is the only way his daughter can truly learn what living in the real world feels like.
That said, despite it being tough for Justin to let go of his daughter, he is still proud of her and excited for the opportunities ahead. To cope with the separation, Justin has to find ways in which he tries to stay connected with Isabella no matter what.
He also shared some positive notes about having kids out of the house, saying he’ll have more time to party than usual. There is no denying that having your kid leave for college is tough. However, to give them the space to grow on their own, parents should learn how to approach the change with a growth mindset.
RELATED: Leah Remini Chooses Daughter’s College Transition Over JLo’s Wedding
Empty nest syndrome, which many people call it, is a normal feeling. As a protective parent, feeling worried or anxious about what may happen to your kid while away from home is natural. However, to grow as a family, you, as a parent, should also learn to accept and trust the process.
On top of that, if you still don’t know how to maintain a healthy relationship with your children during this transition period, a simple FaceTime will do the job for you. Just like how Justin Hartley and his daughter Isabella Justice Hartley did it.

