Ways to help a homesick child?

Agree that the more she cones home, or spends weekends off campus, the harder time she will have settling in socially. So I’d try to limit that. When is Parent’s Weekend? If it is in the fall, I’d try to go to that. Maybe encourage one other weekend home before Thanksgiving.

I had one kid who called me every day during her undergrad years. (Yup) But I think she did it because I cried when I dropped her off, so she did it because she knew I missed her. :heart: I don’t think it hurt her. She’d call when walking to the library or something. I’d say if you D wants a brief touch base (chat or text) daily, that’s probably ok. But… don’t let her spin you up too much. She might dump all her drama on you. Then you go stew about it, while she goes off to class and forgets what she was complaining about!

I agree with @intparent about the kids dumping on you. I got texts of doom and tearful phone calls daily. When she talked to hubby though, she was heading out with others to do fun stuff and everything was dandy. You, as mom, are probably going to get the worst of it. Talking with my now-junior D about hr first year, she denies she had a terrible time! She doesn’t remember too much about all the heart-wringing texts she sent. So you definitely will have to be strong too and not let it get to you. I wish I had known that before she went to college.

Also agree with the person who said try not to mention too often that she’s heading off to college. She probably doesn’t need reminding. I made the mistake of saying things like “can’t believe it’s only two weeks until you go” thinking it was all exciting for,her, but that was stressing her out.

Learn some mindfulness exercises together, as mom and kid

I remember when her cousin went to college a few years ago. Tears, and regret whenever she talked to my sister…but no communication at all when she was happy and busy. I’m trying to brace myself for the same pattern. Maybe it’s genetic?

@Lindagaf Someday you should have your D read your thread out here about those early months. ? OP, I did send my kids care packages every couple of months their freshman year. Made their favorite cookies, included a gift card of some kind, etc.

@Lynnski I once sent a “birthday party in a box”. It included birthday banner, napkins, plates, cups, birthday candles, and I sent DD a gift card to the local pizza place enough to order two large pizzas…and I had a cake delivered. Cupcakes might be better!