83. When College Kids Come Home: Navigating the Summer Transition

Her Next Chapters

Navigating the transition when college students return home for summer break presents both joys and challenges for the entire family. Christina is bringing her son Alex, a freshman at CSU, home for the summer after his first year of college. This episode explores how to adjust expectations and build new relationships with your young adults who have grown during their time away.
• Students change significantly during their time at college in ways parents may not fully recognize
• The entire household develops new rhythms during a student's absence that will need readjustment
• Setting expectations about schedules, shared responsibilities, and boundaries helps smooth the transition
• Moving from controlling parenting to being a "consultant" or "guide" works best with college-aged children
• Giving returning students space rather than bombarding them with questions leads to richer conversations
• Finding the balance between joy of reunion and challenges of changing dynamics requires patience
• Treating young adults more like peers creates respect for their newfound independence
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Chapters

1. Welcome to Her Next Chapter (00:00:00)

2. Kids Returning Home from College (00:00:45)

3. Personal Experience with College Transitions (00:02:16)

4. Setting New Expectations Together (00:05:35)

5. Parenting Adult Children: The Both/And (00:07:13)

6. Episode Wrap Up and Thanks (00:10:14)