Family Transitions:Family Transitions: Healthy Good-byes and Healthy Good-byes and

New BeginningsNew Beginnings

Psychological Counseling CenterPsychological Counseling Center

What We Will Be DiscussingWhat We Will Be Discussing

Common reactions to the transitionCommon reactions to the transition Challenges for familiesChallenges for families Challenges for studentsChallenges for students Tips for making a smooth transitionTips for making a smooth transition When to get involvedWhen to get involved Campus resourcesCampus resources

Common Parent ReactionsCommon Parent Reactions

Pride/hopefulnessPride/hopefulness ReliefRelief GuiltGuilt Sadness/emptiness/lonelinessSadness/emptiness/loneliness Loss of controlLoss of control Worry/fearWorry/fear

Challenges for FamiliesChallenges for Families

Dealing with emotional and Dealing with emotional and physical separation from physical separation from your studentyour student

Feeling left out from your Feeling left out from your student’s lifestudent’s life

Relinquishing some controlRelinquishing some control

Challenges for FamiliesChallenges for Families

Changes in your parental Changes in your parental rolerole

Changes in other Changes in other relationships (e.g., other relationships (e.g., other children, spouse)children, spouse)

Dealing with visits home Dealing with visits home (e.g., weekends/holidays)(e.g., weekends/holidays)

Challenges for StudentsChallenges for Students

HomesicknessHomesickness StressStress Establishing own identityEstablishing own identity Establishing independenceEstablishing independence FinancesFinances

Challenges for StudentsChallenges for Students

Roommate issuesRoommate issues Socializing (fitting in)Socializing (fitting in) Academic pressure/ Academic pressure/

expectationsexpectations Time managementTime management

Tips for a Smooth TransitionTips for a Smooth Transition

Redirect time and energyRedirect time and energy Be open to adopting a Be open to adopting a

different role with your different role with your studentstudent

Be a good listenerBe a good listener Allow for mistakesAllow for mistakes Don’t take changes in your Don’t take changes in your

student’s behavior personallystudent’s behavior personally

Tips for a Smooth TransitionTips for a Smooth Transition

Stay connectedStay connected Guide rather than pressure or rescueGuide rather than pressure or rescue Discuss values and expectationsDiscuss values and expectations Expect ups and downsExpect ups and downs

When to Get InvolvedWhen to Get Involved

Repeated tearful phone callsRepeated tearful phone calls Unexplained weight gain/lossUnexplained weight gain/loss Frequent illness or fatigueFrequent illness or fatigue Insomnia or other sleep problemsInsomnia or other sleep problems Any very unusual behaviorAny very unusual behavior

Campus ResourcesCampus Resources

Resident Advisor, Resident DirectorResident Advisor, Resident Director Psychological Counseling & WellnessPsychological Counseling & Wellness

Student Services Center 430 Student Services Center 430 530-898-6345 530-898-6345 www.csuchico.edu/cntswww.csuchico.edu/cnts

Student Health ServicesStudent Health Services Student Learning CenterStudent Learning Center Academic AdvisingAcademic Advising Disabled Student ServicesDisabled Student Services

Campus ResourcesCampus Resources

Alumni and Parent RelationsAlumni and Parent Relations Parent handbook (csuchico.edu/alumni/parents)Parent handbook (csuchico.edu/alumni/parents)

Student Activities (clubs/organizations)Student Activities (clubs/organizations) For parents: “Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just For parents: “Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just

Send Money” by Helen E. Johnson & Christine Send Money” by Helen E. Johnson & Christine Schelhas-MillerSchelhas-Miller

For students: www.campusblues.comFor students: www.campusblues.com In case of emergency: THE FOOLPROOF In case of emergency: THE FOOLPROOF

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