Parenting our College Freshmen - A Start!

So here we are, mid August, and the time is drawing near, college time! And if this is your child's FIRST year, the excitement, the enthusiasm OR the dread will start to show a little bit at a time. The emotions could show in their eagerness to start school shopping now, or their look of doom and cries of "What if's", like "What if I don't like my roommate?' or "What if I can't find my classes?", or "What if I get homesick or don't like the food or, or, or" and on it goes. Some personalities respond to the coming stress by just shutting down all talk whatsoever and acting like nothing new will be happening. Finally, two other behaviors come to my mind. Your child might be coming to you with a greater need for hugs and affection OR they might try starting arguments for no good reason other than THEY are stressed. Oh boy! This is quite a mix of possibilities, not to mention the rare bird that is cool as a cucumber ready, eager but emotionally calm to begin their new adventure. By far, this is the easiest "reaction" to deal with as a parent, but for those of us NOT so lucky, make sure YOU have time to breathe, and think so that you can have the calming effect upon your son or daughter. Our children look to us, the parents, for clues as to how they should react to certain situations. Yes, this happens even at the age of 18 too, although they would absolutely deny it. They just can't help it. It's been ingrained in them since birth. So, be the clue to positive thought, patience, and an approach to life which goes like this: One Step AT a Time!! And of course, offer LOTS of hugs!! :)