Recognize that feelings of ambivalence about your child’s leaving home or becoming an adult are normal. At times, you may feel like your child entering the university environment is a huge separation. You may also enjoy having more time to pursue your own interests. There is a wide range of feelings that are possible.
Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up. A healthy approach is to talk about your feelings with family, friends, or whoever is a source of support for you.
Make “overall wellness” a goal for yourself. It helps to get enough sleep, eat healthy meals regularly, and get adequate exercise. If you are feeling good, you are more likely to have the energy to help your child and be a good role model.
Remember that, for your child, coming to the University is an important developmental step toward full adulthood. It represents the culmination of 18 or so years of learning. This is the time when your hard work will show itself as your student begins making independent choices.
Find a new creative outlet for yourself. Parents whose last or only child has moved away to college, particularly find that taking on a new challenge is an excellent way to manage and channel their energy and feelings. Make a list of all the things you intended to do while your child was growing up, but never had the time to do. Now is your chance to take some time for yourself!
