Junior's moved into the dorms. You're back home. What now? There are plenty of
things you're better off avoiding, but here are five things to do after you drop the kids off at college:
- Parent Weekend Plans: For most families, Parent Weekend is the first time you'll see your child since dorm move-in day. It may make drop-off - and imminent empty nesthood - a little easier if you start laying plans for that first reunion now. So reserve your spot for Parent Weekend, and make hotel reservations and any necessary travel plans. This might be a good time to sign up for the university's parent association too. It won't take the time commitment that ye olde PTA took up, but it's a good way to stay on top of campus events.
- Fall Break: If your child will be flying home for Fall Break, now's the time to book those plane tickets.
- Thanksgiving: Ditto, but even more essential because Thanksgiving week plane tickets disappear quickly.
- Start Baking: If your child is even the least bit homesick, a care package from home will help - and baking is marvelously therapeutic for parents too. So rev up the mixer, pull out the Tollhouse and start baking.
- Date Your Spouse: Your child may have gone off to college and perhaps your nest has emptied of children, but this is the time to rekindle your marriage, your friendships and your own life. Date your spouse as if this was the very beginning of a new relationship. Befriend your friends once more. Take up a new hobby. Vanquish the empty nest blues.
