The dreaded day has finally arrived - your son or daughter is leaving the nest and going away to college.
What are you, as a parent, supposed to do now?
Sending a child away to college can have a large impact on the parent-child relationship. One "advantage" that my generation has is the current technology that allows us to keep in touch with our parents every day.
Unfortunately, this can cause parents to become too involved in their child's life.
While parents have every right to be worried about their children, over involvement can frustrate them and prevent the children from solving their own problems.
Below are some helpful tips for parenting a college student:
Allow the child to choose his or her major. After all, the child is the one going to college and spending your hard-earned money.
Encourage your student to solve problems independently. Remember, part of the tuition money you pay go toward paying resident assistants, professors and guidance counselors. Your student might as well take advantage of these resources.
Visit and call, but within limitations. Show your children that you care, but give them their space, as well.
College is a time to have new experiences without checking in with someone. Also, visiting or calling too often can impede on valuable study time for your student.
No one said that sending a child away to college would be easy, but it's a fact of life.
You did the best job you could raising your child - now is the time to watch your student use the knowledge they have to make a difference in the world.
Herring is a senior corporate communication major at Lycoming College.
