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Helping Prepare Your Child for College

College Students Spending Time Outside

Image by York College of PA via Flickr

When parents think about getting their kids ready to go off to college, most think about college funds, but there is another aspect to preparing children for college, and that’s the practical one. Once your son or daughter is in college, suddenly he or she will have to pay bills, do laundry, cook, clean, and more. Here are some things that you can do to prepare them.

Financial Responsibilities

It’s important for your college student to understand how to budget. When he’s at college, even if he has saved for things like rent, food, and entertainment, he won’t have unlimited amount of money. He’ll have to learn how to spread out those funds so they last all year. Teaching him how to create a budget, and stick to it, will help. This should be started when’s your child is still a child, but if not, then the sooner the better.

Household Responsibility

Life for your college student will be so much easier if she knows the basics of household management. This includes things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, basic car maintenance, etc. Many kids today aren’t growing up learning how to do this things and it’s a great disadvantage to them when they’re on their own. You can help by assigning your child chores that she must complete on a daily and weekly basis. By having her cook simple meals at home, she’ll have a basis for cooking at college and won’t rely on fast food to get her through, which is expensive and unhealthy.

Filed Under: College Transition, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Preparing for the Move to College

My sophomore dorm room. (Sharp hall, Universit... 

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Parenting can be trying in the simplest of times, so getting kids ready for college requires a lot of patience and understanding. It’s a time of stress for college-bound teens facing a major life shift and also for parents, who may experience Empty Nest Syndrome. There are certain things to keep in mind to ensure an easy transition for you and your child.

Things to Buy

Part of getting kids ready for college is deciding what to buy to take along to school. You want your child to be comfortable, and dorms are notoriously small and low on storage space. Getting your child storage bins will help them utilize space under their bed, while a power strip will allow them to plug in all of their electronics. You might want to invest in a small refrigerator and microwave for the dorm room. They’ll supplement your child’s meal plan.

Talk Before They Go

The transition to college can be psychologically trying for both parents and kids. Parents might feel the sadness of Empty Nest Syndrome, while their children face numerous adjustments. To ease the transition for both of you, have a heart to heart about things like living with new people and changes in self-image before your child moves out.

Communication Plans

Parenting means keeping in touch with your kid through the good and the bad. The transition to college can be tough, so you’ll want to be there for your child but also give them space. Definitely stay in touch, but don’t hover, and don’t pry. Learning how to use internet communication tools like Skype will make keeping in contact cheap and easy.

Filed Under: College Transition, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Dealing with Teenage Rebellion

Medina High School. 

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Parenting takes on new challenges when the high school years arrive. With the threat of teenage rebellion always looming, it’s no wonder parents balk at the thought of these years. If you keep yourself informed and patient, raising your teen doesn’t have to be a terrifying time.

Those Teenage Years

Look at this stage in your child’s life as a time for you to help your child grow into their own distinct, individual self. As adolescents, your kids will try on different identities and the appearances that go along with them, often raising conflicts in the home. The goal of this stage of life is to achieve independence, so you might find your child pulling away from you. Now is the time to be supportive.

How to Cope

If high school rebellion causes anxiety in your life, take this as the time to work on your relationship with your kids. Question yourself—do you take the time to listen to and consider your kids’ opinions? Simply showing that you care will go a long way. Put yourself in your teenager’s shoes to understand that they may feel self-conscious, and let them know that it’s OK to feel that way. Choose your battles wisely. Leave room for your child’s self expression. It’s more important to fight on issues with real and permanent danger than to pick a fight about your teenager dyeing their hair a funky color.

Of course, certain signals in your teen like extreme weigh loss or gain or constantly skipping school point to real problems. Seek help if you need to, and remember, parenting rebellious teenagers calls above all for your support.

Filed Under: High School, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

The Different Elements Involved in Teenage Rebellion

The development of children is a very complex process that involves many different steps and mile-stones. From learning how to do more simplistic things such as walking and potty training, to making friends and developing social relationships in pre-school, there are many important elements that come into play. However, no other aspect of a child’s development is more vital than the teenage years. Unfortunately, as a result of this, rebellion is a big problem that tends to become prevalent around this time. Below is a list of some of the more notable elements that can contribute to teen rebellion.

Lack of Communication at Home

Teens who lack communication at home tend to be more rebellious than those who do not. A large reason for this is due to the fact they have no constructive outlet in which to release their problems, instead turning to rebellious activities such as getting into trouble at school and experimenting with various kinds of drugs. It is important for parents to try and maintain a working communication between their children, regardless of regular arguments or disagreements that might persist.

Influences of Peers

An additional contributing factor pertaining to the rebellion of teenagers is the influence of their peers; otherwise known as peer pressure. Unfortunately, teenagers face a great deal of stress when it comes to fitting in and keeping up with the social standards of school and interacting with one another. As a result of this, there are situations that arise in which teens feel compelled to take a less than adequate path in order to seemingly please their friends or peers to gain a sense of acceptance.

Filed Under: High School, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Helping Your Child Prepare for High School

Satellite photo of Garden Spot High School and...

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Making the transition from middle school to high school can be difficult and confusing. Children have to get used to having several different teachers and classrooms (this is especially true for kids coming from smaller parochial or private schools).

In high school, there are many more students in the hallways, as well as in classes. When your child is getting ready to make the transition from one school to the next, there are numerous things that you, as parents, can do to help make it a bit easier.

Some schools can be quite large, but one of the most important things is to make sure your child has a positive self-image and high self-esteem. Sometimes some things as simple as new clothing or a new pair of shoes can go a long to help with these things. Nike clothes offer a vast array of footwear for everyday wear and for sports. If your child is sports-minded, why not take a look at the brand if you haven’t already?

In some cases, you and your child may have to confront the issue of bullying, but rest assured that there are numerous resources out there for that.

Because high school can be vastly different from middle school, be sure to stress the importance of education as a whole. Make sure your children know that academics are of the utmost importance, especially if college is in the future plans for your child. If you have the means and live in a city with several school choices, be sure to choose the one that fits most with your child’s learning habits.

Filed Under: High School, Parenting Tagged With:

Tips on Preparing Your Child for College

It is natural for parents to be concerned when their child goes off to college. Although your son or daughter may feel they are more than ready to start the next chapter in their lives, they may also have worries. There are ways to prepare you and your child for college, by talking about them in advance.

Talk about what to expect

You and your college-bound child can discuss concerns either one of you may have, and then talk about ways to resolve these problems. Pay special attention to your child when they have any “what if” questions. Be sure to answer these questions with confidence.

Bring up concerns you both may have

Assuming that parents have already discussed sex, alcohol, and drug use with their child, this is a good time for parents to give them a refresher course.

Allow them to voice their concerns

If your child plans to have a job while attending college, help your child use the money they earn wisely. Discuss expenses that you will continue to take care of, and ways for your child to get the most out of the money they will make.

Agree to keep in touch on a schedule

To ease your mind and your child’s about leaving home, agree to keep in touch on a weekly basis by phone. Reassure the child and yourself, that although they will not be living at home, you are still just a phone call away, and that you will always be there for them.

Above all else, be there for them before and after they leave the house to go off on their own.

Filed Under: College Transition, Parenting Tagged With: , , ,

Saving Money on Teen Clothes

Your teen is likely very interested in fashion or simply looking good. This is a typical stage among most adolescents. If you can, help them out with dressing themselves in clothing that makes them feel comfortable and good about themselves. A lot of clothing that is targeted at teens can be expensive, but there are some ways that you can save money if you are willing to work at it.

First, it may not be popular, but shop used clothing stores, thrift stores, and yard sales and you can find wardrobe staples in popular brands for a fraction of the cost of the department stores. You may not find the hottest styles for this year, but for items such as jeans, tee shirts, and sweaters shopping used can be found that are no different than what is currently available at the mall.

Another great place to find bargains is at the designer discount stores. Stores like Ross, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx offer popular brand names at a much better price than the mall shops. They have a combination of designer seconds, last year’s styles and overstocks at great prices. This can be a great place to find stylish and trendy wardrobe pieces without spending a bundle.

If you have more than one child in the same size, you may be able to convince them to share expensive clothing items. If you have two daughters and they split the cost of a designer tee, they will neither one have to spend too much and both will get the enjoyment of wearing the shirt. If you do this, make sure they have an agreement about what happens if one of the children damages or loses the clothing item though.

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Relieving the Strain: Divorce

Divorce is an ugly word and a far uglier inevitability. Your days have been leading you to this moment, to a realization that can’t be denied: you’re not happy; your partner isn’t happy; and the notion of family is strained.

Such a strain doesn’t excuse you from your obligations, however. Your children still remain, unaware of what’s occurring, uncertain of what the future will bring; and it becomes your responsibility to soothe the burden.

Divorce is a complex idea and, often, children can’t understand it. It’s vital to simplify the process therefore: do all you can to make each day an easy one, with all thoughts turned toward what is best for all. Utilize:

One: Communication. Silence is golden — this is the belief that shapes many parents, an assumption of quiet words and refusals. Children cannot understand such refusals, however. They’ll instead be angered by them, needing explanations but receiving nothing beyond a stare. Answer all questions. Ask about feelings and concerns. Generate the necessary dialogues and be certain to detail the entire divorce procedure.

Two: Patience. Logic doesn’t dominate a child’s thoughts. There’s instead only fear and that emotion can trigger a variety of complications (stress, panic attacks, illness, regression and more). Parents must therefore be willing to accept these moments, understanding that they are defense mechanisms. Patience is needed to handle the problems and eventually soothe them.

Three: Mediation. The process of seeking a new life is rarely an easy one; and the presence of children compounds the hours even more. It’s essential therefore to turn to divorce lawyers to make the transition as seamless as possible. Don’t struggle with the rules and worries. Instead allow those who will serve the interests of your family to determine all details. These individuals will help to decipher the needs of all parties involved — especially adolescents.

The intention of any divorce must be the happiness of the children. Remember this to soften the separation.

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Homework Help for Teens

When your child is young, it can be easy to help them with their homework. Obviously doing homework with your second grader is not going to strain your brain too much. However, the story can be much different once your child is in high school.

Your high school age child may be facing problems in school that are beyond what you can help them with. If this is the case, what should you do?

The first thought is to have your child get tutoring. This can be done through the school or through private companies that specialize in tutoring. Getting professional tutoring can be costly, but if your child is really struggling it can be the best way to get them back on track.

Another option is to have your child get help from a classmate. If this is a small problem, this can be a great way for them to get the help they need without costing a lot of money. If the other child really puts in the time, you may consider having your child get them a small gift or taking them out to see a movie or for dinner. This can be a great way to thank the peer tutor.

In today’s technologically advanced world, your child may be able to find assistance online. There are many websites that are devoted to homework help. Some of these have subscription fees, while others are free of charge. Simply make sure the advice your child is getting is solid, and this can be a great way to improve their grades or get help with a one time homework problem.

No matter what method you choose, simply make sure your child gets the help they need. You do not want a small problem to snowball into something that will keep them from their dreams.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: ,

Helping Your Teen Apply for a Job

Applying for a first job is one of the hardest things a teenager can do. This is not a topic that is covered at school, so they may be going into this experience without having any idea what to expect. This can be a great chance for you to connect with your child and also help you learn about where your teen is going to be working.

First, you need to discuss with your teen about the types of places they want to work. For teenagers some of the more common jobs would be working in food service and retail. Which of these work out best for your child is really a matter of personal preference. Usually the jobs in food service are messier and may require harder work; however they offer more chance to connect with other teens and also the chance to work in a variety of different tasks. Working in retail tends to be quieter and cleaner, but the job may be monotonous and not offer as much chance to work with others.

Once they know the types of places they want to work, the real research begins. Look on the website and see how the preferred method of applying is conducted. Many companies have moved to online applications, which can done in the comfort of home. The only negative to this type of job application is that your teen does not have the chance to talk to the manager and make a positive first impression. If your child applies online, encourage them to stop by the physical location and introduce themselves to the manager. This can make their application stand out and hopefully get them an interview.

Once they have applied, it is time for the waiting game. Don’t be impatient, but encourage your teen to call and inquire about the status of their application. Many places get way more applications than they can ever interview and those that get the chance to interview are those that really put themselves out there.

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