Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Decision-Making Tips for Parents on Children Attending College


Written by: Janice Nonato Ragay

Parents play an important role in their children’s education. They are the persons who take responsibilities and they are also concern on whatever problems and situations their children might encounter. They should be aware of their children’s needs and what would be the best thing they can do to make their children feel comfortable in their college life.  Every parent needs to consider things that could possibly happen to their children especially if their children are away from home. So parents should be careful and should plan every decision they have to make.

The first thing that a parent should do is to check on  what university or school they are going to send their children and know what will be the field of study they are planning to take up. Be the first to know the information about the future environment of their children’s journey for four or more years. Parents should always bear in mind that when their children are starting to enter a university, they are getting into the age of legality where more personal issues and concerns or even making decisions for themselves are taking part without the presence of their parents. Talk to your sons and daughters. Discuss with them some sensitive issues like sex, money, pregnancy, party, drugs, drinking, smoking, etc. These are uncomfortable to talk about, but be natural! It is going to be awkward, but let them face the reality. You can help them realize to do what is right and avoid the consequences if they are planning to do one of these things. Next, make a plan and let them know. Decide how often are you going to communicate with them while they are away from home, when are you going to visit, and when will they come home. Give them freedom, but let them know their limitations without suffocating them. Always give them advice. They still need you. Whenever your child will encounter problems while they are away and you received phone calls about it, try to ask a couple of questions and let them explain why it happened. I believe parents want to rescue their children and they can solve the issue, but if you think they can solve it by themselves, let them find the resolution. Don't be so quick to fix the problem yourself. Teach your student how to get out and fix the problem by himself or herself. This is your time to move on and treat them like adults. But it does not mean you can now stop from being a parent to them. Always listen to them and be a shoulder for your children to lean on whenever they feel like they can no longer carry the stressful path of their journey in college life. Be a friend, be a comforter and above all be the first to reach them out. A parent will always be a parent.

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