Fall break can be a great time to reconnect with your student. If they will be visiting home, it can also be a great time to prepare for winter and complete other tasks. Here are a few things to consider with your student’s transition home.
Let them know of changes at home
Has a sibling moved into your student’s room? Is there a new pet in the family? Are there any other changes that may surprise your student? Help them adjust to being home by letting them know of any changes before they arrive.
Talk about expectations
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. Share your expectations when it comes to laundry, dishes and other household chores.
It’s also a good idea to discuss any family plans and ask what their plans are while they’re home. 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. It’s okay if your student wants some time to themselves, and it’s sometimes necessary to help them decompress from school.
Schedule check-ups
If possible, try to schedule any doctor or dentist appointments while your student is home during break so they won’t need to worry about it when they are back on campus.
Learn about life at CU
While your student may not have been away from home that long, they are used to being on their own schedule and living independently. They may have new habits and views that could influence your time together.
Take time to get to know the independent person your student is becoming. Ask open-ended questions about their classes or major, what they enjoy about Boulder, who they spend time with and what they like to do in their free time. Keep in mind that some students may be struggling more than others. This can be a good time to determine if your student needs support.
Have important conversations
When your student visits, they may need to have important conversations with you, especially if things have not been going well while they were away. Here are some things you can do that lead to a healthy, positive experience with important conversations:
- In a conversation, allow your student to share their point of view without interrupting. Try to listen without judgement.
- What you mean to say is not always what the other person hears—think about the intent and impact of your message. If you’re not sure what your student’s intent is during the conversation, let them know what you’re hearing and ask if that is what they meant.
- When sharing your point of view, speak from your perspective. In turn, try to see things from your student’s perspective as well, rather than make assumptions.
- When agreement is not possible, allow for multiple truths.
Prepare for winter
With the unpredictable winter weather in Colorado, it’s best to be prepared at all times. This is a great time to check with your student to see if they are ready for winter before returning to Boulder. Students should have plenty of layers, a winter coat, gloves, a hat and scarf, winter boots that are waterproof and extra blankets to stay warm when temperatures drop.
Reach out for help
If you have concerns about your student when they come home, you can reach out to Student Support and Case Management (SSCM). They can help you determine the signs of distress or concern, and how to connect with support resources. You can refer your student to SSCM by filling out their online referral form or by contacting their office at 303-492-7348.