Parent

As a parent, it can be difficult when your son or daughter heads off to college.  Many parents feel their influence has been minimized and there is no role for them to play in affecting their child’s behavior.  However, there are a variety of tactics parents can utilize that will encourage your son or daughter to make healthy choices.  Here are a few tips to assist you:

Talk With Your Son or Daughter

Even after they have moved away for college, you can still impact the decisions your child makes.  You can still set boundaries and expectations for them and hold them accountable for their actions.  College can be a difficult time and many students have a hard time adjusting and will often change their behaviors in an attempt to be accepted.  Large amounts of unstructured free time is common for college students.  The majority of students initiate heavy drinking within the first 6 weeks of enrollment.  Remember that underage drinking is not a rite of passage and is illegal.  Remind them the real reason they are attending college: their education.

Visit Their School Before Enrollment

Talk their advisor and meet with the Dean of Students.  Ask them what prevention measure they have in place to address alcohol and drug use.  Inquire about what policies they have in place to alert you about potential problems on the campus relating to crime and safety issues.  Does the school have a Parental Notification that will inform you if your teen has violated school policy or local laws? Does the school offer and promote alcohol-free events?  You have a right to know about the welfare of your child.

Walk Through the Campus Community

How is alcohol marketed around the university?  Are there constant and frequent bars promoting drink specials?  What is the appearance of the surrounding neighborhood?  Is it littered and cluttered?  Talk with the citizens to gauge their feelings about the positives and negatives of the students in the town.

Attend Parents Weekend

This is an opportunity to see how your son or daughter is adjusting to the college experience.  Ask to meet their roommates and their friends. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Act

Just because your son or daughter is 18 and out of the house does not mean that you have to remove yourself from their life.  If you sense that they may be developing a problem with alcohol or other drugs, contact the school and ask that your son or daughter visit with a counselor.  Do not let the geographic separation become a boundary to remaining involved in the care and well-being of your son or daughter.