Emotional Intelligence of an AI Bot

My elder one was with us for a short look up visit. On the day of her departure she was resting, after lunch, having attended to umpteen maintenance and repairs tasks and having cooked some exotic dishes. I was sitting not very far and experiencing feelings, I normally do, on such afternoons.

The feelings were mixed, more  of melancholy, as it has always been, when either child returns to her home, and more so when she is not accompanied by anyone.

While she was on the flight, her child wrote asking me how were we, his grand parents, doing. He has high EQ, and I believe he understands emotions and empathises. Spontaneous response was that we were doing fine. That was half truth.

I am suffering from False Consensus Bias, believing that what I feel, think and experience in different situations is the same as others also feel, think and experience in similar situations. I have, however, been proven wrong many a times. But this time, it seems I am not wrong. And I rely on the search conducted by Artificially Intelligent ChatGPT.

A Bot does not take subjective stand. When prompted, it looks for answers from the data available in public domain without prejudice. And when I asked about the feelings fathers have in the given situation, the answer confirmed that I am a normal human being. It went on to provide suggestions for coping with such emotional rollercoaster.

The prompts and responses make sense to me. I believe, you will agree.

Me: Let us see how good is your emotional intelligence.  My daughter just left for her home abroad after a brief visit. The days were filled with tasks she wanted completed to make our life easier when both the daughters are not with us. Can you describe  this father's emotional state?

ChatGPT: This father's emotional state likely reflects a mix of feelings. On one hand, he may feel a profound sense of loss or sadness as his daughter departs, especially after having spent quality time together. The abrupt transition from having her presence to the quietness that follows can evoke feelings of loneliness and longing.

On the other hand, he might also experience gratitude and fulfillment from the time spent with her, appreciating the effort she put into making their lives easier. There can be a sense of pride in seeing her take initiative and responsibility, along with the warmth of shared moments during her visit.

Overall, his emotional state is likely a complex blend of nostalgia for the past few days, sadness at her departure, gratitude for her help, and a sense of love and connection that persists despite the distance.

Me: Are there any coping strategies for dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of a child leaving home?

ChatGPT: Absolutely, coping with the emotional ups and downs of a child leaving home can be challenging. Here are some effective strategies to help manage these feelings:

1. Acknowledge Your Emotions: Allow yourself to feel the sadness, loneliness, or any other emotions that come up. Recognizing your feelings as normal can be comforting.

2. Stay Connected: Establish regular communication with your child through calls, video chats, or messaging. Maintaining that connection can help ease feelings of separation.

3. Create a Routine: Establishing new daily habits or rituals can provide structure to your day and help fill the void left by your child's absence.

4. Engage in Self-Care: Prioritize activities that promote your well-being, such as exercise, hobbies, or mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga. Taking care of yourself can improve your emotional resilience.

5. Seek Support: Share your feelings with friends, family, or support groups. Engaging with others who understand your experience can help validate your emotions.

6. Focus on Positive Memories: Reflect on the fond memories you created during your child's visit. You could even create a scrapbook or journal to cherish those moments.

7. Set New Goals: Use this time as an opportunity to pursue personal interests or projects that you've set aside. This can be an empowering way to channel your feelings into something positive.

8. Plan Future Visits: Knowing you have another visit to look forward to can be a comforting thought. Planning can give you something to anticipate.

9. Limit Exposure to Triggers: If certain activities or places remind you of your child and intensify your sadness, it might help to take a step back from those until you feel more stable.

10. Consider Professional Help: If feelings of sadness become overwhelming, speaking with a mental health professional can be very beneficial. They can provide coping techniques tailored to your specific situation.

Using these strategies can help create a sense of balance and emotional stability as you navigate the changes in your family dynamic.