Top Tips for Visiting Your Children at College

Monday, September 29, 2008, by Leigh Anne

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I’m tired and happy!

I spent the last 3 days in Utah visiting my 3 college children. I had so much fun and I think they enjoyed my visit too - did you guys??!! But I came home tired and ready to go back to my boring life where you go to bed before the next morning! There is a reason you have babies when you are young and a reason you go to college when you are young - it takes a lot of energy and you don’t get much sleep!!

When I asked Cali what her favorite thing about being away at college was, she didn’t hesitate with her answer. “Being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want and not having to be in at any certain time - no curfews!” I still remember experiencing that sense of freedom for the first time 30 years ago.

For those of you who don’t have children in college yet or those who have just sent their first child off to college I thought I would share some tips I have learned over the last six years of having children in college. Some suggestions that might make your first visits easier and more enjoyable.

1. Bring treats! Yes, no matter how old your children get they still love treats. I managed to fit a batch of caramel corn, caramel brownies and snickerdoodles into my suitcase. Their roommates will love you too!

2. Be flexible. As hard as it may be to believe when your children are little, when they are constantly underfoot and can’t stand to be away from you, there will be a day when you have to fit into their life. The day when they would rather watch the season premiere of The Office than go to dinner with you. What is a mother to do?!

You get dinner to go and join them and their friends at their apartment to watch the season premiere of The Office!

3. Put gas in their car. When you arrive in town and need to borrow their car to get around - DO NOT expect the car to have any gas in it! Be prepared to fill their car(s) with gas. (Yes, both boy’s cars were on empty!)

4. Feed them. Even after only 3 weeks of school they will be tired of dorm food, fast food and their own cooking! They will want you to feed them as often as possible during your visit and of course - you will be paying!

5. Take them shopping . Cali was kind enough to send me a handwritten list of the items she needed before I came so I could bring some of them with me. The boys managed to talk me into a few new clothing items they needed too!

6. Get lots of rest before you go. We packed a lot of fun into the 3 days I was there - shopping, eating, the theater, church meetings etc. By ten o’clock at night I was tired. But as we sat eating ice cream at 9:30 one night the boys asked me what I wanted to do next - my answer was “Go to bed” but for them the night was just beginning. So they sent their old mother off to bed and off they went for some more fun!

There is a reason we go to college when we are young!

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8 Responses to “Top Tips for Visiting Your Children at College”

Thanks Leigh Anne so much for sharing with us. We love hearing about all your adventures. So glad you got to spend time with your college students. THANKS for motivating us. Love you!

Thanks for the great tips I will need to remember. When my children were young, I received a lot of advice and pointers about the various stages they were in. Now that they are teenagers, I feel like I am on my own. I appreciate your advice and insight on being a great mom to kids at this stage in their life.

You’re a wise woman. You nailed every one of those. I think I’ll pass it on to my mom ;).

My mother helped me make friends in college by sending me a box of homemade cookies every week. Huge hit in the dorm and everyone seemed to know they arrived on Fridays and would offer to go get my mail for me! This was really a big deal since my mom was not a domestic goddess!

I’m guessing with today’s gas prices, filling up their cars was a major bonus!

You are such a great mom - tell your kids that in case they take you for granted…

Sherra »

I am forwarding your comment to my children Thanks!

I LOVED this post! Great ideas here. I only have one question. What if you have a toddler, 7-month-old twins AND a college student?!? I need a tip list for that! I’ve learned that I just stay in the hotel room and take her to Walmart every so often. One day I’ll get to enjoy take out and watching the season premiere of The Office. How was that, anyway? Oh, and I love the picture of all of your kids at the restaurant. They’re very cute and they look like you! That sounds so fun! It’s awesome that they are all so close together!

I have 2 sons away at college and 2 living at home attending community college. I love your hints for visits to children away at college. If you do all that, they will absolutely love for you to visit…anytime!!

Best Homeschool Buys »
That’s what I am hoping! So far so good!

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