Parenting a College Student

The other day I came across an interesting article about parenting and college students. Since I am now the baby boomer mom of a college freshman, I took note of what it had to say.

The Professor from Emory University offered some tips on Parenting Your College Student.

He says “you won't be able to wait for them to come home – or leave.” Boy, was he right about that! She’s only been away from home for two weeks and she’s come home both weekends. Some people might be starting to question if she’s really in college.

• Don't change your child's room. The student's room is 'home base' – try not to change it very much during his or her first semester away. Freshmen in particular can go through some very difficult times, passing exams, establishing new friendships, surviving in a setting where they are not 'top dog,' and often fearing that admissions has made a mistake – that they do not really belong at college. Give them a 'safe haven.”

I guess that means I won’t get to have that office I was planning on!

• When a problem arises, "move like your feet are stuck in molasses." The temptation is to intervene when a child calls home with a problem. Remember that many resources exist at college to help students cope with various situations.

That's good to know because I did enough "intervening" for the first 18 years of her life!

• Don't expect the same grades in college that the students got in high school. All I have to say to that is, SHE’D BETTER NOT!!!