Thanksgiving is a great time to think about all the things we have to be grateful for in our lives. We live in a land of abundance where most children have the opportunity to attend college and receive a solid education that will help them achieve their goals. In many parts of the United States, Thanksgiving has turned into a four to five day holiday full of religious observations, parades, eating, shopping and fun.
Families usually start to gather from around the country, and college freshmen are often returning home for the first time since classes began. Despite all of the hustle and bustle, parents need to find a few moments to sit down and have a conversation with their near-adult children to make sure everything is going well. Here are a few topics you might want to cover:
- Parents of High School Juniors and Seniors: This can be a hectic time in your child's life as he or she prepares to go to college. Parents should take some time to check in with their children to see how they are handling all of the pressure. Ask them about the deadlines that may be coming up for applications, exams, and scholarships. Find out if there is something you can do to help without taking over the process. Have a talk about the financial end of college to let them know how much you plan to participate and how much you expect them to contribute. Check out financial aid websites together and start gathering the paperwork you will need to complete the FAFSA in January.
Most of these discussions will fall on the side of children growing up and parents learning to let go of them. If you see that your child is having difficulty with the financial end of the college application or college payment process it can be helpful to connect with HS counselors and colleges.