Dropped my son off at college this week
by
Charlie Bess
During the parent orientation (an activity designed to get the students away from their parents IMHO), a presentation of the nine things parents of college kids should do:
- Don't ask if they're homesick (guilt trip - either way they answer)
- Write even if they don't write back (no one wants a dusty mailbox)
- Ask questions but not too many (don't ask any questions you don't want the answer to)
- Expect change (after all that's why they're going to college)
- Don't worry too much about those late night phone calls or email (everyone needs a shoulder to cry on -- as long as it doesn't turn into a habit. Just because they told you does not mean they want you to fix it.)
- Visit but not often (if they wanted you there they would have stayed at home)
- Do not say that these are the best years of their life (it always looks better from the outside)
- Trust your student (it's too late now)
- Encourage volunteerism (being involved is the best way to develop a support network)
I summarized the subtle points in the parenthetical statements.
It did make me wonder about the similarities between sending a son or daughter to college and launching a project to turn an idea into reality.
