Getting ready for college starts now!

Prepping for college is a years-long process, and today is a great day to begin.  As this NYTimes  article highlights, waiting until moments before college starts is not the optimal strategy. If you only have 10 minutes, read the NYTimes article.  If you have a few hours, try How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims, former Standford dean.  Both pieces will prompt you to consider your parenting, and consider how much “help” you wish to provide to your youngsters.

Both pieces indicate that parents have a vital role in raising their children, especially around organization and planning, time management, medical management, etc.  AND both pieces highlight that as parents we need to step back, let our kids make mistakes, learn the skills the hard way, etc.  I have long asked parents “How did you enjoy dorm life years ago?  Will you enjoy it next year, or will you send your kid to college independently?”

I understand that many of you are raising children who require additional assistance, additional years to hit developmental milestones.  These two articles don’t negate that need, but it does serve as a timely reminder that we have to also step back, and that sometimes growth comes from a teeny tiny bit of struggle.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/26/well/how-to-help-a-teenager-be-college-ready.html