The college years are a transition time for both students and parents. Students leave home, start to make their own decisions, develop independence, learn new skills, meet new people.
Parents miss them, worry about them, and try to stay connected at the same time they develop their own interests and separate lives. During these years it is important to maintain a connection with your college kid, so they’ll be more likely to come home or at least call and let you know how they are doing. Here are some suggestions:
1. Check in by phone regularly.
When you call, make sure the student has enough privacy to talk about what’s going on in his life without feeling embarrassed or worried about others hearing.
2. Ask about things that interest them, not just about grades.
Be interested in their lives as individuals rather than as students of a particular discipline or major. Study habits, activities, friends, clubs, faculty members they admire—whatever interests them.
3. Send cards and notes expressing your love and support.
For example, “You’re the best daughter I could have ever asked for.” Keep track of important dates in the college calendar like registration time, move-in day, midterms or finals and holidays. At these times, send cards with personal messages that express your love and remind them how much you care about them.
4. Visit during the school year and on vacation time.
Try to visit at least every six months and include their friends in your visits as often as possible, so they’ll want to bring you around more often. At Christmas and summer breaks, make it a point to visit—and don’t forget to treat their friends.
Whatever your kids are planning for their future, you can always count on them needing and wanting you while in college! Be there to encourage them, help them and support their efforts!
5. Send them a monthly care package.
Sending your kids a monthly care package is one of the best ways to let them know that you are thinking of them. Sending kids monthly packages filled with goodies will help your kids feel at home while in college. If you are busy and afraid that you won’t be able to do it every month, College Packit can help!
CollegePackit is a monthly subscription service for college students. Our monthly packages have all the goodies that a student needs to stay focused, healthy, and happy in their dorm room. Our monthly subscription service includes products to help your student Focus, Fuel, stay Fresh and have Fun – the only F’s a student should get in college!
College PackIt is made by people who know how hard it is being a college student in today’s world! Blessings for a wonderful year in college, full of memories that will last a lifetime.