Parenting College Students - Mutual Activities that Won't Embarrass Your Student

In parenting college students during their launching years (generally the first two years in college), parents want to stay connected with their emerging adults while respecting their need for independence and privacy.  Parents are often in a quandary about staying involved in the lives of their children and not overstepping the parents' welcome into their students' lives. 

In parenting college students, parents also make the mistake of focusing their attention on activities that are harmful to their maturing young adult children, such as binge drinking and late night parties.  This type of instructional dialogue will only fray the parent-child relationship, and further exacerbate the parental tendency to worry.

In parenting college students, we need to be supportive of the students' efforts, celebratory of their successes and proud of their accomplishments.  While parenting college students, parents can converse with their children concerning which activities they would like to share with their parents.

Parenting College Students - Peer Pressure is Acute

Peer pressure is particularly worrisome for parents when it comes to negative behaviors, such as drinking and drugs.  There is a high incidence of drug and alcohol related crimes.  Parents want to practice effective parenting techniques by staying a viable part of their children's lives.

While parenting college students, parents and their emerging adults can find mutual activities on campus that won't embarrass the children.  In parenting college students, Moms and Dads must remember how it was when they were in their launching years.  During those times, we may have been filled with launch anxieties combined with emotional volatility and mental health issues. 

We were easily embarrassed to be seen by our peers with our parents.   Having learned from the past, we can talk about these feelings when parenting college students.  There are many mutual activities that parents and their emerging adults can share, and your children will appreciate your understanding with respect to this issue. 

Parenting College Students - Some Mutual Campus Activities

While parenting college students, parents can ask their children for suggestions as to activities they can share when parents visit the college campus.  Athletic contests, concerts, art shows and musical programs are some of the activities of mutual interest that could be discussed while parenting college students.

Entire families can enjoy walks around the campus.  Perhaps your student can give you a tour or you can simply pick out a comfortable bench on a walking path and people watch for awhile.   Another suggestion that might surface when parenting college students is sharing a nice dinner together in a restaurant that is comfortable for both parents and their emerging adult.  It actually is preferred that your child recommend the dinner site.  There are many additional ways for parents to share mutual activities with their children without embarrassing them.  Be sure to obtain and to value your child's input.

By parenting college students in an environment of mutual love, understanding, and respect, both parties will find activities that they can share.  Parent and students alike will eagerly anticipate the parents' visits to the college campus.

For more insights into developing your student's leadership skills, order Dr. Debi Yohn's book "Leadership in College: 23 Winning Churchill Strategies," Inspired by the leadership of Winston S. Churchill. Written By: Winton R. Churchill, Jr. and Dr. Debi Yohn. It can help you and your college student have the best chance for a successful college experience. You can also speak to Dr. Yohn privately and confidentially through her coaching program... click here for more information.