Parents Blog: Take a Breath

Here it comes, parents . . . Thanksgiving break. Family, food, fun . . . and perhaps your BU student’s return home for the very first time. You’re excited. You have been waiting for a great chance to talk face to face with your freshman and to learn about their real experiences. And it may be the perfect opportunity but I urge you to . . . take a breath.

Freshman year is a time of tremendous growth. You may find your son or daughter newly mature, or struggling, or both. I guarantee that you will find them changed (listen to the Parents Program Radio Show) and excited to show you their newly developed freshman skills. They will find their family has changed too and, perhaps, they will be confused by that. What a great time to show off your newly obtained college parenting skills!

End of semester is a stressful time of the year for students. Exams loom, time is on short supply, management skills are stretched, and the lure of the holiday season is calling them to gather with friends, to be social. Their newly won freshman confidence may be running a little low. So here’s my advice . . . enjoy your time together and relax a little. (You might also share our favorite study spaces on campus.)

Relax. Listen to those experiences. Remember that they are learning from them. Relax. Let them handle their problems. Support their solutions. Relax. Give them love and support. Be confident in their coping abilities. It will increase their own confidence. Relax. Remember that the road to a BU degree is a little more like a marathon than a sprint. Enjoy the process. Relax. Take a breath.

Happy Thanksgiving, parents. Be thankful for your talented BU freshman. We are.

-Jeanne Knox

4 comments

  2. Thank you for reminding us parents to relax. This is a timely advice. Please continue on with the good work. We parents need guidance too, especially for the parents with a first time returnee.

  3. Love this! And we must remember to find out what time they plan to come home at night (or early morning) after visiting with hometown friends, as college freshman it’s not going to be the same as high school year curfew!

  4. Hi, I’m starting to do my homework to find a hotel in the Boston/Cambridge area for my son’s upcoming May, 2016 graduation from BU. Trying to locate a nice place to stay (doesn’t have to be that close but not further than a 20 minute drive from BU) in mid May.

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I’ve stayed at the Omni most of the time but my company no longer has a rate and the rates I’ve been seeing everywhere during that time are pretty exorbitant.

    Any suggestions would be welcome. Thank you.

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