I like to think of college life as “real life with training wheels”. As parents we get to let them  experience a little independence with a soft place to fall. As a college student, you get to take your first step into adulthood. Independence for some parents  it’s easy to let go of the “reins” (our house) and watch the student break free within the security of the “corral” (college). For some parents it’s extremely hard to let go of everything – even the “corral” isn’t enough security for them. As parents and students you need to find a happy medium that satisfies everyone.

I remember sitting at the parent orientation for my daughter’s first year of college and listening to the security officer and many other staff members reassure the parents about the safety of their children. They also told us we would not be contacted by the school about health or grade issues. We also could not contact the school about those same issues. The only thing we were allowed to call the school about was financial information. I think this shocked many of the parents. They felt that since they were paying for college they should be able to talk to teachers, staff about their students. One staff member reminded us that our children were 18 and technically considered adults – they might be our babies, but they were also adults and should be treated as such. That was the best piece of advice I have ever heard. I have tried to pass that message on to friends who have children in college. We (everyone) actually learn more when we fail at something. It is what helps make our students into the responsible, happy and independent adults they were meant to be.

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