Parenting a College Freshman
When your child begins college, it is the first time they are going to be away from you and the home that they always knew and lived in, if they go away to college. This is a time when you need to offer all your support and encouragement and at the same time not handle them like a teenager since they are now getting ready to face the world before them, alone.
In the first two months after getting into college, your child is going to be quite busy with everything that’s new and all that requires getting used to. Call them to find out how they are handling it all, but don’t remind them about homesickness by asking about it or questioning them if they feel lonely. This can possibly make the adjustment more difficult.
Your child may have difficulties such as a difficult paper or some problem in their relationships when you call. Lend them a sympathetic ear, but do not get too worked up over it. They will learn to handle such situation with time and be better organized in their own way.
Encourage them to participate in sport and extra-curricular activities. It is a good way for them to make friends and get to know others while away from home.
Set a time with them to visit to their college, but do not visit them too often. When you visit them at the right time, you can see their progress with pride and they can introduce you to the important people in their campus. Sometimes this can be hard to do and you may just want to burst in there and see them like you did in school, but this really does not help your child in the long run.
Managing money is something your freshman needs to know and you need to inform them how to do this efficiently. Make them feel responsible for what they spend and do not lend them money every time they ask for it. Asking them to conform to a budget so that expenses are controlled within the allowance they have to spend is quite acceptable.
Filed under: Family Issues
