Coping With Holiday Stress When College Kids Come Home

They will arrive home exhausted from finals, stressed out about grades

, and experiencing some mixed emotions about their holiday with the family. For many parents, this is the first extended period of time that you and your college kids will spend together since they left for school in August or September. More than likely, your expectations for the holidays are not the same as theirs.

Once they have gotten enough sleep and eaten all of their favorite foods, they will be anxious to take off and catch up with their friends who they have not seen for a while. You may have other ideas. You didn't expect their schedules to be so chaotic, you spend every day restocking the house with food, and most importantly, you're ready for them to spend some "quality time" with you.

What's a parent to do? Here are a few tips to make the holidays a less stressful time with your college kids and enjoyable for everyone:

1. Let your kids know that you are excited to have them home and that you really want them to enjoy their time while they are there. Ask what they would like to do while they are at home and what kind of family activities they may be up for. Face the fact that holidays are stressful and don't count on things going perfectly.

2. Talk with your kids about their semester and show an interest in their college life so that grades are not the only area about which you appear to care. Ask questions that don't have yes or no answers and don't sound like you are interrogating them. This can be stressful for both of you.

3. Tell your kids that you respect their new independence and you wouldn't want it any other way. Explain, however, that with independence comes responsibility and you hope to see that at home as well as when they are away at school. This includes drinking, driving and using good judgment.

4. Talk about family rules that you have always had, but discuss them calmly and be willing to compromise a little. Tell them that you would like to know about their plans so that you don't schedule something that might conflict. Let them know that you expect them to answer their cell phone if you need to text or call.

5. Deal with the messy room, sleeping till noon, and the frenzy of friends in and out. Relax a little and remember the holiday break only lasts for a few weeks. Of course, this is not the way you want to live all the time, but sometimes to maintain your sanity it is best to let some things go. Your college kids will appreciate it and it will do a lot to make the holidays less stressful.

by: Gen Wright

POST COMMENT

How Real Estate Hedge Funds Work How to Find the Perfect Furniture for Your Child Door Levers Having A Quick Home Sale Upvc Door Lock Enjoy convenient home shopping with Additions Direct New York City Apartments and the Real Estate Agents in NY The Value Of A Real Estate For Investors Wholesale Apple Accessories - Wholesale Cell Mobile phone Components For Resellers & Storefront Owners What To Feed Swans - For Swan Owners, Here Is How To Feed Them Right How to Be the Best Wife without Being a Doormat How To Profit From Buying Real Estate Property With Ira Money How To Judge Your Home's Curb Appeal