When a parent watches their child graduate from High School there is a sense of accomplishment. You helped your child get through a lot! You've watched them grow into young adults that are on the road to becoming successful members of society. What an amazing feeling. Then, another reality hits you. What are you going to do without them for 3 to 4 years? You just spent all that time helping them navigate the scary road that is childhood. And here they are at adulthood's doorstep. Now they don't need you? Wrong. They need you more than ever for the following reasons.
They will be meeting a large amount of people in a short amount of time. College dorm rooms are a melting pot of many different personalities in a small space. They will not get along with some of these personalities, and may have a difficult time deciding who is worth their time. Most students will be desperate for friends the first few months of college and thus some bad seeds may attach themselves to your child. It's good to know who they are talking to and getting to know the best so you can help if drama emerges.
They will be around alcohol and drugs. Even if your child is "perfect" they WILL be around this and it is important to know the basics rules of alcohol consumption.
Dating and the opposite sex will be around. They will have to make tough decisions and be presented with issues they have never encountered.
They will have stress- lots of it. They will have more school work than they have ever seen, and might have a hard time balancing the stress. Social stress and school stress can weigh heavily on a person. They will look to you for insight on how to manage this. You can share stories of how you deal or send them a couple dollars to go take a break.
Your child will need you more that ever and for more than one reason. College is a stressful journey and they will need your guidance.
Make sure to give them space but also stay involved. They will be coming to you for advice before you know it.
Cheers and goodluck!
Steph
They will be meeting a large amount of people in a short amount of time. College dorm rooms are a melting pot of many different personalities in a small space. They will not get along with some of these personalities, and may have a difficult time deciding who is worth their time. Most students will be desperate for friends the first few months of college and thus some bad seeds may attach themselves to your child. It's good to know who they are talking to and getting to know the best so you can help if drama emerges.
They will be around alcohol and drugs. Even if your child is "perfect" they WILL be around this and it is important to know the basics rules of alcohol consumption.
Dating and the opposite sex will be around. They will have to make tough decisions and be presented with issues they have never encountered.
They will have stress- lots of it. They will have more school work than they have ever seen, and might have a hard time balancing the stress. Social stress and school stress can weigh heavily on a person. They will look to you for insight on how to manage this. You can share stories of how you deal or send them a couple dollars to go take a break.
Your child will need you more that ever and for more than one reason. College is a stressful journey and they will need your guidance.
Make sure to give them space but also stay involved. They will be coming to you for advice before you know it.
Cheers and goodluck!
Steph
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Before you buy a christmas gift make sure you read Steph Luckey's article on Great Gifts!