Tips for parents sending their children to university

5 Tips for Parents Sending Their Child to University

One of the most exciting days in a child’s life is the transition from going off to college and leaving the nest for the first time. While it can be exciting for kids, parents are share their struggle onlineand it sounds familiar to many, if not all parents; there is an overwhelming feeling of fear and sadness when you see your child going out into the world all alone.

The feelings of fear and sadness are Real and rightfully so; it’s like they’ve gone from crawling to creating their first semester of college schedule in the blink of an eye. So, how do you, as a parent, navigate these feelings without getting lost in them? We’re sharing some tips on how to navigate the anxiety and sadness of sending your child off to college for the first time.

Psst… here’s an extra tip for podcast lovers: check out The Best Mental Health Podcasts for Parents in 2024

Validate your feelings

It is important to acknowledge and validate your feelings. This is a new kind of grief, a significant change in your life, and it’s okay to feel this way. Recognizing that this is a life-changing moment and allowing yourself to express those emotions will undoubtedly make the transition easier. It is also important to remember that it takes time to process and work through these feelings; most specialists say it takes a few months to process these feelings. So if you are still feeling these heavy feelings after a few months, remind yourself that it is completely normal and remember to express those feelings when you can.

Plan ahead

All parents know that planning is a skill that comes with the full-time job of caring for another human being, so let’s face it: You’ve got planning down to an art form. So maybe with a little more free time, whether things have changed because there are no more kids in the house or because you have one less person to plan for, it’s time to add some “me time” to the calendar.

Plan for the days that are quiet. Go to a class, meet up with other moms, or schedule some sleep time, because who doesn’t need that these days? Make a plan that keeps your mind occupied with things that fill your cup, and that might include scheduling phone calls with your freshmen to check in, which brings us to our next tip.

Check in with your freshmen (they need it too)

While your freshmen may be excited and probably just as anxious, they need reassurance. Regular check-ins, even if they’re planned, can help ease the anxieties everyone is feeling. It’s also a great way to remind them that you are always there for them, despite the distance. Most parents and specialists agree that regular check-ins, respecting their time and schedule, can have a positive impact on any new student’s experience and will help any parent cope with this new life transition.

Stay positive and trust your parenting

One of the things parents can struggle with during this transition is wondering whether you have adequately prepared them to go out on their own. important tip is to remember that you got them this far. You will always play an important role in your child’s life, but this is just doing things in a new way, which means they will live more independently, thanks to the hard work you put in along the way. You prepared them for this and you will continue to support them and help them prepare for all the next chapters of life.

Speak out and seek support

You do not have to process, work through or even feel this transition and the feelings that come with it alone. It is completely right and real to feel fear and sadness in these momentsand because These feelings are a universal experience, it’s likely that your partner, a friend who is also a mother, or another family member feels the same way and the The best thing all families and parents can do is to make their voices heard and lean on them. your chosen community to help deal with these feelings.

Another great way to get through this time is to reach out to a therapist or talk to your therapist about how you’re feeling if you’re already having one. Bottling these things up won’t help, and it can be helpful to know that you’re not alone in these feelings. Talking to a therapist is always a good idea because they can help you ease these feelings while also giving you steps that fit into your specific daily routine to help you get through your feelings.

While these are just a few tips, the most important thing we want mothers and parents to know is in general know that you are not alone. These feelings are valid and we hope that you take the time to prioritize your self-care and mental health during this new and exciting chapter.