Ways To Keep Family Connected When Your Kids are Away at College

| Updated on March 27, 2024

It’s a tough time when your kids go off to college. You suddenly feel like you’re all alone in the house, and it seems like they’re a million miles away. Thankfully, there are ways to keep connected with them and make sure that they still feel like part of the family.

In our topic today, here are some tips for staying in touch with your college-aged kids. We’ll also talk about how to handle FaceTime conversations. Also that you can stay close while they’re away.

What to Expect if Your Child Is in College

If your child is in college, you might feel like you’re the only one who feels this way. But trust us, you’re not. Every parent goes through it. The key is to find ways to connect with your kids that work for both of you.

Motivating Move-in Day

The start of college is a hectic time for everyone. Your student is trying to get used to their new surroundings and make new friends. They might not have a lot of time (or energy) for you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t reach out and try to connect with them. Here are some ideas:

  • Send them care packages with their favorite snacks or foods.
  • Write them letters telling them how proud you are of them.
  • Plan a visit during the first few weeks of school so they can show you around campus.
  • Invite them home for weekends or holidays.

Staying Connected With College Kids

One way to stay connected is to schedule regular FaceTime calls. This can be a great way to catch up and see how they’re doing. But it’s important to remember that college students are often very busy, so don’t be offended if they have to cancel or reschedule a call. Just try to be understanding and flexible.

FaceTime Topics To Chat About

Spending less time with your child can often cause some lag in conversation. If that happens, here are a few things to talk about on FaceTime that can help you catch up.

  • How are classes going?
  • Have you joined any clubs or organizations?
  • Who are your roommates? What are they like?
  • What’s your favorite thing about college so far?
  • Do you have any upcoming exams or projects that you’re stressing about?

Benefits of Staying Connected

There are many benefits to staying connected with your kids during the semester. For starters, it will help you remain closer to the child you raised. But there are a lot of aspects that benefit your college kid too. By reaching out and staying in touch you can:

Offer Support and Encouragement

One way to offer support and encouragement is to be there for them when they need it. This might mean being available for a FaceTime call, or simply being a listening ear. If your child knows that they can count on you, they’ll be more likely to reach out when they need help.

Another way to offer support is by staying connected with their friends and classmates. This can help them feel less alone. It also gives you a chance to get to know the people your child is spending most of their time with. This will help keep them motivated and push through any tough times they might be experiencing.

Celebrate Their Successes

Make sure that you celebrate the accomplishments your child achieves. Even if it’s just a small victory, let them know that you’re proud of them.  This will help encourage them to keep up the good work. It can also be helpful to send them a care package or gift when they’ve done something great. This is a nice way to show your support and let them know that you’re thinking of them.

Show School Pride

If you have a college-aged kid, chances are you have some school pride too. Showing your support for their school is a great way to connect with them. You can do this by attending their sporting events, or simply wearing their school’s colors on game day. Don’t forget to display that bumper sticker too!

Final Thoughts: Honoring College Age Independence

Although it can be tough, it’s important to remember that your college kid is becoming more independent. Try not to be too overbearing. They’re adults now, and they deserve some privacy. Just because you’re not seeing them every day doesn’t mean you’re not important to them. 

They might not need or want your help as much as they did when they were younger. It’s okay to give them some space and let them experience college on their own. We hope this post has given you some ideas for staying connected with your kids when they’re away at college. 

Remember, it’s important to be understanding and flexible. Don’t forget to show your school pride. Then be there by encouraging them to reach out to you if they need anything, no matter how small it may be.





Akansha Singhal

EdTech Writer


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