This week we have looked at going on a road trip (here) and how to make a stay-cation adventurous (here). Another special group who has fall break is our college students who have gone away to study. College students may not realize this, but their parents truly miss them when they leave home and head off for school. The first year is an emotional killer for many parents who actually grieve the loss of their now-adult aged child. For some parents, this time signifies the emptying of the home “nest” they’ve known for the past 18+ years. It’s a rough time in many respects.
Parents may not [want to] realize this, but their college student is having a great time at school! It’s nothing against their parents or life growing up at home, it’s simply a new season for them to make friends and start discovering who they want to be as an adult—vocationally, spiritually, relationally. It’s a fun time of learning on many levels.
So, Fall Break can be a great time of touching base again as family members reunite for this brief gathering time.This may also be the first moment you can check in at a heart level to see if things are really “great” as you are told on the phone. Make the most of it by doing simple, fun activities together. Here are a few ideas:
- Go to the kid’s favorite restaurants in town to renew the fun outings you had as a family. Or simply make some of their favorite meals or desserts.
- Cheer for your favorite college teams while you watch football games on TV or in person.
- Invite the old gang of “kids” over to catch up with one another. Enjoy the fun and laughter filling your house!
- Don’t be surprised if your child brings home one or more friends from school to hang with them over break. Welcome them in! They may turn out to be lifelong friends for your son/daughter.
- Grab coffee with your college student as they tell you about classes, friends, and homework loads.
- Mom, your student will love it if you think to send some home-baked cookies back to school with them! Hint, hint! 😉
- Enjoy your time of simply being together. Just like when they were babies—these years, too, will fly by before you know it!
For more ideas on Fall Break for college students click (here).