When your older child goes off to college, it’s a major transition for the entire
family, and everyone needs time to get used to the “new normal.” Cheri Love,
mom of four teens, shares her family’s experience of when oldest daughter Rachel
enrolled in Auburn University last year.
“When Rachel moved to college, it was sad setting the table for one less person. We
missed the older teen perspective for our younger teens, and our kids missed their
big sister. We also missed having that extra driver,” Cheri recalled.
However, with the oldest child away at school, Cheri and her husband had more
time with their younger kids. “It also made our college child appreciate things like
home-cooked meals, laundry and the company of a large family,” she said.
Cheri’s Advice for “Parenting” Your College Student
Finding ways to make your college child
feel special and connected to the family
when they come home also makes an
impact. Cheri shared some of her family’s
favorite ideas:
No Helicopter Parenting: “Pray for your child!” she said. “Continue to ‘parent’
• f your student lives close enough, treat
I
them to an occasional mid-week lunch
to catch up
Be Upfront About Expectations: