Your kids are away at college, but they still need you. Take this opportunity to send your love and support. It's a crucial time in your child's life, so be supportive of the adults they are becoming.
After all of these years, the kids are finally out of the house and off to college. Maybe you’re breathing a sigh of relief. Maybe you’re crying tears of despair. Either way, be glad you raised kids who actually want to further their educations.
The nest is empty, but you’re still a parent who wants to keep the bonds tight with your college kids. Fair enougn. Start by keeping in mind that college is a difficult time for young adults who are used to getting their laundry done and their meals made. A little parental attention goes a long way. Following are tips to being the parent that all of your kids’ college friends will talk about for years to come.
September: Send Care Packages
While going off to college is an exciting time for kids, it’s also challenging. All humans, even resilient teenagers, resist change. As much as they were looking forward to finally getting out of the house, they’re also nervous. They need a little reminder that lets them know you love them and they aren’t completely on their own.
So, send care packages. If you do this right, you will be the hit of the whole dorm floor. Include things like your child’s favorite foods, portable snack bars for breakfast on the go, homemade cookies, canned goods, mac and cheese in a box, and microwave popcorn. These dorm staples are invaluable late-night supplies.
October: Combat Homesickness
Most likely by October the kids are settled in. But, in college this means that the excitement has worn off and the difficulties have begun. Freshmen are finding ways to manage the vastly different college lifestyle. Classes are getting difficult, especially since your kids are regulating their own diet and sleep schedule. So, they’re tired, malnourished, and busy. Roughly, this means they are homesick.
So, send mail. Everyone loves getting mail, but no one more than college students. News from home can be a boost. Keep letters light. Include news they can share with their roommates - preferably funny stories. Dad fell asleep on the Lazyboy and fly flew into his mouth.
And what’s mail with the check, pre-paid calling cards, or mega-store gift cards? Well, it’s just pointless. You could email that funny story just as easily. So, make the mail call all the more valuable with a shopping spree or an easy way to call home.