Anxiety is a part of our DNA as parents. It is normal and natural, but we have a responsibility to honestly look at it. We need to become aware of how our anxiety can affect our students, and discover strategies for all of us to find relief. In this episode, Lynn and Vicki begin by looking at some of the unintended messages we may be sending to our students when we are tempted to step in too quickly to fix their problems. This episode focuses on creative strategies for dealing with parental anxiety so that you can be better prepared to support your student.
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In this episode Lynn and Vicki suggest that parents take some time to think about their own anxiety about their student’s college experiences and think about how their anxiety might affect their student.
Lynn mentioned a couple of books that might be helpful to parents. Harlan Cohen’s book The Naked Roommate discusses how uncomfortable it is to watch our kids’ discomfort. (This book is worth the read for many reasons – one of which is to learn the why behind the title.) There’s a version for students and another one for parents. Lynn also mentioned Marjorie Savage’s book You’re on Your Own – But I’m Here if You Need Me. This was one of the first books out there for college parents, and it still has some of the best advice and wisdom for parents.
The Naked Roommate by Harlan Cohen.
The Naked Roommate: for Parents Only by Harlan Cohen.
You’re On Your Own, But I’m Here If You Need Me by Marjorie Savage
Vicki mentioned another good book for parents that parallels the process of sending a student off to college with raising our babies. We all remember the anxiety associated with that!
Your Baby Freshman Is Off to College by Laurie Hazard and Stephanie Carter
If you’re looking for some more sources of helpful information, check out episode #018!
#018 – Sharing Some of Our Favorite Reads for College Parents
Here are a few College Parent Central articles that might also be helpful as you think about this issue:
Six Steps to Help You and Your College Student Proactively Address Your Worries
Three Essential Elements of College Parental Support
As We Send Them Off – – and Let Them Go: 25 Quotes to Guide You
15 Tips to Help You and Your Student Cope with Change
Parenting Students with Learning Differences: Dealing with Our Own Anxiety
Sending Your Student to College Might Improve Your Relationship
Why Some College Parents’ Involvement Increases During the Second Semester
Are You Sending a Shy Student to College?
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