I always love Parents Weekend. It adds a skip in my step and a smile on my face. Why? Because it’s a weekend I get to see my busy big kids in the flesh. During college, I never missed a Parents Weekend. Of course, it wasn’t for the programs the colleges attempted to thoughtfully organize. It was for the opportunity to personally catch up with each of my children. The chance to see how they were really doing in their environment, meet their friends and get the latest tea (I call it juice, go figure!). Once college was over, I realized something was missing in my Fall lineup. The stretch of time between end of summer and Thanksgiving felt so incredibly long without seeing them. An easy solution? Create your own Parents Weekend! Read on to see Why You Should Create Parents Weekend Beyond College.
Parents Weekend Beyond College Is More Fun
The Fall is a particularly lovely time to visit with your kids. On the East Coast, autumn leaves are changing. The wonder of a new season emerges, bringing a new outlook on life. Colleges typically design their Parents Weekends during the Fall season before cold weather hits. This way families can enjoy the beauty of their college campuses, easily plan indoor and outdoor events and explore college towns. Freshman are often homesick around this time, so it alleviates any anxious feelings.
When kids graduate from college, your mid-season Fall event goes missing. You mean, no football game together, no brunches, no gatherings with friends? And then it hit me … why should it stop after graduation? Seems even more important when they are out in the real world. Plus there is so much more to do! You now have the freedom to design your Parents Weekend and customize it on your own terms. Think Fall hikes, crisp weather, an autumn picnic, leaves swirling. Bike rides through Fall foliage. Long walks exploring new city streets. Hit a local sporting event. De-stress together with a spa day. Shop for much needed items. Book a fancy restaurant (always a hit!). Rent a car and explore nearby towns on a daytrip together. With limited time, it’s best to discuss plans in advance in case tickets or reservations are needed. Repeat during the Spring season! The sky is limit!
Work-Life Balance Beyond College
College graduates still miss home and still need their parents as young adults in the real world. Navigating the right balance between work and personal life can be a challenge. Depending on the profession, persistent long work hours can be daunting and exhausting. Respect in the workplace can be an issue. Paying your dues within corporate hierarchy can be assumed. All these issues can take a mental toll on our new college grads. A visit from Mom and Dad can be helpful, grounding and provide much needed reassurance.
On the flip side, a Parents Weekend can also reveal that your big kid’s ideal work-life balance is in place. One where wellness is incorporated with exercise, healthy food, and ample sleep. Seeing a good daily routine in person will ease any previous parental concerns.
See Your Kid In Their Element During Parents Weekend
Parents Weekends are the perfect opportunity to see your kid in their element. Whether it’s on their college campus or in their big new city, experiencing their environment together is essential. They are growing so much at this age — transforming into adults they will be for years to come. Therefore, checking out their environment in full swing is so important. Meet their friends and take them out for a bite. Walk their graduate school campus. Have them show you where they work. Explore new city sites together. They will be excited to “host” you and show you around their new town! Plus, you will have a clearer mental image of their day-to-day routine by experiencing it first hand. Showing an interest in their new home will mean the world to them!
Parents Weekend Is A Way To Stay Connected
Above all, creating your own Parents Weekend is a way to stay connected with your child. You don’t have to overplan the weekend. Some of the most memorable times have actually been the unplanned moments in their apartments and simply catching up on life. These quiet times are the best times of all. They are the very reason you are there. So get into life, loves and dreams. Carve out this special time together. This is Why You Should Create Parents Weekend Beyond College. It’s the perfect midway point, a continued tradition and so much more fun than the college version!
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