With the winter break quickly approaching, now is a good time to prepare for your college student to return home. Remember that just as your student has been changing while away at college, you and your other family members have changed too. Some students may be content catching up on sleep, reconnecting with family and friends, and enjoying the comfort of home-cooked meals. Others may wish to stay busy friends and activities.
Help your student make the most of the winter break and recharge for the upcoming semester with these ideas:
• Make a lunch date at your place of employment and talk about your student’s career goals. How have they changed? How will your student continue to explore careers and opportunities?
• Try a new recipe or teach your student how to make one of your specialties.
• Take an elderly neighbor or relative out to do something he/she would enjoy.
• Volunteer together to help with a local seasonal meal service, gift-wrapping booth or community mission.
• Host a New Year’s potluck with friends so you can all enjoy one another’s company once the holiday excitement has slowed down.
• Have a parent/student night at the movies or if you have younger children, have a sibling/student night.
• Ask your student to share some of his/her papers and projects with you from the semester.
•Ask your student to share stories about his/her friends, classmates, professors, and activities.
• Ask your student to share with you what his/her goals are for the upcoming semester.
• Help your student reflect on the last semester. Were his/her expectations met? What surprises did he/she encounter?
Have a safe and wonderful winter break.