Guiding Your Child Off to College
August 13, 2011, By Jeffrey Weeks 0 comments
Sending a child off to college is one of the hardest moments that you as a dad must navigate. As much fear and anxiety as your college freshman may be experiencing, you probably will be experiencing more. That why it's important to follow some basic guidelines that will allow you to continue to exert a positive influence in your child's life without smothering them.
Establish Your Lines of Communication
Many teens seem to desire nothing more than the freedom of college life away from home, but in reality they are upset and conflicted about leaving the nest. Calls home should be encouraged, and you should let them know you want to stay updated on life at school, from the books they're buying to the friends they're making. You don't want to make a bunch of judgments or try to control things from afar, but you need to be there to listen and give advice.
Pick two days a week when calls home will be made and decide on the times together. This routine will be comforting to both your new college student and you, as it emphasizes order in the chaos of a freshman year.
Settle on Weekends Home
Kids should come back home from college at least a couple of weekends during the first semester, in addition to holidays. Any more than that is too much, as you want them to grow comfortable away from home. Any less than that and you risk cutting ties too quickly.
Just as with weekly phone calls, it's important to set a schedule that you and your child can depend on and look forward to. When your student gets the first semester's schedule, sit down and plan the trips home. Don't wing it; once these dates are established, everyone will feel more comfortable.
NEXT: Provide Financial Support, With Limits
