WARNING: As the title says, unsolicited advice ahead.
With two kids living away at college (and one who also lived away for half of high school), I’ve learned a a few things over the years. And because I’m a giver, I’m going to share my wisdom with all you newbie college parents. [This will be especially helpful for all you helicopter moms … You know who you are.]
I know no one asked, but here are my top four tips:
1– Stay connected but don’t smother. I don’t care how close you are, your kid does not want to hear from you every day. And while a weekly phone call or FaceTime is nice, don’t be surprised if you text more than talk. Take what you can get.
2– Be prepared for mistakes because they will make them. Yes, even your precious baby. They’ll oversleep, drink too much, miss a class, get a bad grade, or make bad choices. It happens to the best of them. It’s part of growing up. Just pray their mistakes are small and they learn from them quickly.
3– Along those same lines, let them figure out how to talk to professors, manage minor issues with roommates, and find friends. Offer support and maybe a little advice if requested, but don’t step in and handle things for them. They’re adults now, after all.
4– This is one they probably didn’t mention at freshman orientation: Save those Amazon boxes—you’ll need them for care packages. Just don’t get sucked into the over-the-top-themed-boxes-with-cutesy-sayings trend. It’s unnecessary. (As an aside, who else believes these excessive packages are the brainchild of the same moms who created extravagant promposals and college decision bed parties?)
I’m sure there’s more I could add if I gave it more thought, but hopefully these tips help ease some of the anxiety and sadness you may be experiencing. And if not, remember Thanksgiving is just around the corner and your college kid will be home before you know it—with weeks worth of dirty laundry in tow, if they’re anything like mine.
—LJDT
