I have been hearing from parents that their children have made their college choices. Some wishes have come true, some are waiting for a year, gap year, until they can afford college, some will be volunteering, and others are staying local to cut costs.
For parents it brings up shifting what they thought would happen for their children and accepting that changes happened in this economy. It will not be forever that dreams won’t come true. I, too, remind myself to LOVE THE LIFE I HAVE, along with a box of Kleenex, and not miss out on what I do have right in front of me.
Do parents believe in “happily ever after”? No. Do they want to take their children’s dreams away? Absolutely not! They too, for example, watch American Idol where dreams come true.
Bottom line is all ages need support in transitions and in living their dreams. They also need to learn to start again when dreams die. LISTEN to their children rather than push and advise. It isn’t easy based on the love you have for them and your life experience. I think one of the most difficult subjects I hear parents discuss is, when to let it be, to interfere and get them on track, to let them fall and recover. When we GET QUIET and NOT COMPARE ourselves to other families, the answers emerge, even if we don’t like them.
How are you coping with changes you and your family are making about college?
Take care,
Natalie
Natalie@emptynestsupport.com
800-446-3310
818-763-0188 Los Angeles
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE. GET READY. GET SUPPORT.
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org
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