Fall break can be a great time to reconnect with your student. While your student hasn’t been away from home that long, they are now used to being on their own schedule and living independently. They may have new habits and ways of operating in the world that differ from before. Here are a few things to keep in mind before your student arrives home for fall break:
Life at CU
Take time to get to know the independent person your student is becoming. Ask open-ended questions about their classes or major, if they are enjoying Boulder, who their new friends are, what they like to do in their free time, etc.
Changes at Home
Has a sibling moved into your student’s room? Is there a new pet in the family? Have there been any other big changes that might surprise your student? Help them adjust to being home by letting them know of any big changes before they arrive.
Household Responsibilities
Since your student has moved out, the expectations may not be clear when it comes to helping out with household responsibilities while they are home over break. Discuss expectations when it comes to laundry, dishes and other household chores.
Curfew and Independence
If you still plan to enforce a curfew while your student is home for fall break, try to have that conversation before your student arrives. It’s also a good idea to discuss any family plans and ask what their plans are while they’re home to ensure everyone’s on the same page. Talk about how often you’d like to spend time together, or plan a family night with a favorite activity for some quality time to catch up.
Scheduling Appointments
If possible, try to schedule any doctor or dentist appointments while your student is home during fall break so they won’t need to worry about it later on when they are back on campus.
