Last Updated on August 26, 2022 by Ellen Christian
Transitioning to college can be a challenge not only for your teenager but also for parents. I was used to my daughter coming home on the school bus each day after school. The first time that bus drove by and my daughter didn’t step off was a wake up call. Don’t get me wrong, we all want our kids to grow up and be independent. It’s sort of proof that we’ve done our job well. That doesn’t mean that you won’t miss the nearness of your child once they head off to college.
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Transitioning to College: Tips for Mom & Teen
I’m very lucky that my daughter goes to a local college so we don’t have hundreds of miles separating us for the most part. She is slowly transitioning from living at home to staying elsewhere and that’s not an easy thing to get used to.
We don’t all sit down to a family dinner each night. We don’t always spend all the holidays together. This summer she is spending an entire month in another state with her boyfriend.
That will be the longest we have ever spent apart. I know this is just the beginning. My daughter has a theater arts major in college. There are not a lot of theater jobs in rural Vermont. The chance that she will move away after college to find a job is pretty high.
I know the *missing* isn’t all on my part. My daughter has called home several times (when spending a week at a friend’s house) just to tell me she misses me. It’s times like this that I love having Skype. While a phone call is nice, actually seeing her when we talk is so much better. I love being able to stay connected to her whether she is in the next town or in another state.
- Connect with teens on their terms. Most teenagers love technology. It will probably be easier for you to connect with them using technology like Skype rather than expecting them to write you a letter.
- Be flexible. While you may love knowing that every Saturday at 2 PM you’ll hear from your teen, their schedule may need to be more flexible.
- Reach out to them. Don’t be afraid to send them a letter or a goodie box from home just because. They’ll appreciate that you thought of them.
- Find balance. Your teen needs to know that you are there for them but they also need to discover their own sense of independence.
Transitioning to college and beyond can be challenging but thankfully Skype is making this time a little bit easier in my family.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
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