Send your child an e-mail. “It’s a lot better than a telephone call, which may seem intrusive,” says White.
Talk openly about alcohol and sex. “Parents should convey to their children that they expect them to be responsible and to act grown-up,” says White.
Discuss finances in advance. Credit-card companies seduce students with tantalizing offers. Stop your kids from ruining their rating–don’t pay the bills, but put your name on the card so you can see the charges. Insist that the bill be paid in full every month.
Don’t quiz your child about her academic performance. Instead ask her what she’s learning. And don’t try to choose her major. “The student is the one who has to take the classes–not the parent,” White says.
Help him get help elsewhere. Remind your child that it’s not a sign of weakness to seek out campus counseling services.
Enjoy being empty nesters. If you feel a sense of loss, don’t dwell on it. Use your new free time to become a couple again.
