They’re back for vacation...what to expect
- Manage your expectations! Be flexible. Understand that these are different children from the freshmen you dropped off at the college residence hall.
- They are now nocturnal. They plan to stay up all night and sleep all day.
- Remember that the freshmen have been in constant contact with their peers for nine months and have had very few external (parental) regulations.
- Well ahead of their arrival, figure out what household responsibilities you want them to be accountable for. Prepare to negotiate! They have become comfortable with a different style of living.
- They will be acutely aware of all changes at home and may be disappointed that life is not as they had remembered (or fantasized) it.
- Realize that their need for privacy has increased – fewer intrusive questions yield more sharing answers.
- Their first excursion is usually to their room to see what has been altered. If you have not changed their room, you’ll be ahead of the game. If you have changed it and told them, it will be better than a surprise change. Either way, there will probably be a discussion. Be ready.
- Be available, loving, and accepting. Give lots of hugs and kisses.
- Have your own laundry finished so the washer and dryer are empty.
- Brace yourself: they often feel entitled to total freedom and expect no responsibilities.
- Understand that their #1 choice is to be with friends.
- Identify ahead of time your wish for a curfew because they will have no such wish.
- Expect freshmen and younger siblings to jockey for power and control. Let the battle be theirs.
- Try to laugh a lot and have as much fun as possible.
- Send your freshman back to school armed with a great care package, including copies of new photos.
