Sending your kid to college? Here's what you should know
College is likely the first time your child is
living away from home. This can be both exciting and nerve racking for you as a
parent. So, before you pack up the car and move your son or daughter into their
new home, consider how you might prepare for the big day.
Give them a leg up
You know what it's like to live on your own,
but your child likely doesn't. So, while they might want to move in with a
duffle bag and a few pairs of underwear, you know that having some staple items
for their dorm will be really helpful. Help them shop for (or remind them to
pick up) things like soap, bedding, shower caddy, laundry basket, hangers etc.
This will make the transition from home to their dorm much easier.
Talk about what's important
There are many topics which can seem difficult
to broach as a parent. But now that your child is on the precipice of moving
out and on to the next stage of your life, it might be wise to have some
important conversations before they move any further into young adulthood.
Finances
Whether you expect your child to get a job or
you will provide them with money regularly for food and books, make sure to set
your expectations right away. You can opt to provide them with a prepaid debit
card that gets refilled each month, or a regular deposit into their checking
account. Make sure they understand that this money is now their responsibility,
and that they need to be wise with how they spend it.
Personal safety
Your child should always know that you are
there to support them, especially when it comes to their personal safety.
Remind them that they can call you at any time if they don't feel safe or need
something for their health or safety.
Communication
Just because your child is off at college
doesn't mean you won't ever talk again. It can be a good idea to discuss your
expectations for communicating regularly with your college student. This could
mean a once per week check-in to see how things are going, or a less frequent
call to stay in touch. Just make sure you are both on the same page when it
comes to future communications.
Let them make mistakes
The urge to parent your child may never go
away, but since your child will be living on their own, it's time to start
letting them make their own mistakes. Seeing them make decisions that you don't
agree with (as long as they are safe and respectful) may be hard. Still, it's
their life and the more independence you give them, the more they can learn on
their journey. You might even be surprised at how often they ask for your
advice without being prompted.
Embrace the experience
While this might feel like a momentous
milestone in your parenting life, to your child, it likely feels like the
beginning of an exciting experience. It's ok to be emotional when you drop your
child off at college, and it's also ok to be happy that you might be finally an
empty-nester! Regardless of how you feel, try to take in the complete
experience as much as you can. After all, your child only goes off to college
once, and if you blink, you might miss it.