LIFE after Perhaps the best word to describe the college experience is “transitional.” After spending the first 18 years of their lives under the watchful guidance of their parents, students are now “free” but have not yet fully entered adult life. Parents, once able to monitor their child’s day-to-day life, find themselves at a distance and relying on the student to let them know all that is going on. In both cases, each individual is going through a transition. The student is learning to navigate life independently and make decisions, while parents are learning to become a trusted advisor to their student.
The college experience is a great time for parents and their students to learn to support one another. The following suggestions offer simple ideas for how you can best support your son or daughter after they move in.
32 | Liberty.edu/Parents
1. Set expectations: Communicate what your expectations are with your student. Discuss how often they want you checking in with them. Inform them of important family events you would like them to attend. Setting clear expectations can help alleviate stress for both parents and student.
