Parenting in College?

The Millennial Generation is extremely connected with their parents. There’s no doubt about that fact. And, in many cases, that’s a good thing. I believe that parents know their children best and if solicited, can provide solid advice for their children even at the final stage of the college process. It’s very healthy for families to sit around the kitchen table and have a discussion based on trust and respect. The most effective parents will understand that their role is to listen, offer objective advice, but let their children make the decision that’s best for them. I often site the book, “I’m Going to College, Not You” to remind parents that it’s their child’s time to lead the way and the parent’s time to step back. Most parents do this effectively, sometimes with subtle or not so subtle reminders. So what about college? Is a parent’s presence still as profound and if so, what kind of result does it have on a child’s independence and maturity? A recent survey conducted by NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education found that parent involvement does continue through the college years, yet without a hindrance on their child’s personal growth. As Sheri King, Assistant Director of Student Affairs at the University of Georgia’s states, “Parents seek meaningful ways for involvement and they are willing to work, for the most part, within parameters when they are given to them.” Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/03/28/naspa-survey-finds-parental-involvement-isnt-always-bad-thing#ixzz1qkDJsGI7