You are not pushing your child away when preparing them for college in their early teenage years. It hits you that the years are pretty short when raising a child. As a parent, we want the best for them, including sending them to the college and career courses they want.
The best thing we can do as parents is to help them prepare for college and this transition.
Research on which University to Choose.
Choosing which University is an exciting yet overwhelming process for teens. Do not pressure them to which school they should pick. Instead, research to list the pros and cons of each Universitey to guide them on which to choose, and don’t forget about online colleges which offer in-demand programs, such as cyber security online degrees from CIAT.edu.
Remember that the decision is ultimately your children’s you only have to support and guide them throughout the selection process.
Visit Campus Together.
You can visit the campus in person or have a virtual tour to help your undecided teen experience the school.
Check Financial Aid Offers and Discuss Affordability.
In reality, college is a big investment, and some families cannot afford to pay the tuition. Check the costs. Look for financial aid offered and compare them from different schools. You have to be honest and detailed when discussing college expenses.
Research Career Outcomes.
Research if the school can help your child reach their dream. Some schools offer internship opportunities, which is one of the factors parents encourage their kids.
Help them Learn More Life Skills.
If you do things for your child too much, it is time to let them do some chores. You cannot expect them to be organized and tidy at their college dorm if they do not know a thing, and their college transition would be much harder.
Although the process has to be gradual, you have to start early. Let’s say you rely too much on laundry delivery; you have to stop doing this for a while to teach your child how to take care of their clothes. You can bring them to the laundry service or teach them how to handwash. The same goes for cooking. Let them learn the basics, from grocery shopping to cooking in the kitchen and washing the dishes afterwards.
Allowing them to have these skills gives them a confidence boost.
Be Supportive and Available, but do not Hover Around.
Besides the life skills you impart to them, you have to distance yourself enough to make them feel and make decisions independently. Let them decide about the school they want, or let them overcome some mistakes as they grow.
If your children ask for your advice, that’s the time you have to be available and become supportive. Give the best practical advice and work on it together. A progressive parent wants their child to learn some life lessons independently but is always there to give advice, encouragement, and support when needed.
Parents, this is hard at first, but the transition will be much easier if you do the preparation gradually.
