Saying goodbye to your child as they go off to college is not easy for some. However, as time passes, you will find new ways to fill your time and enjoy the extra space you have in your home. But as the spring semester ends and summer break begins, your nest may not be as empty for a few months as students return home! Are you ready for it? Here are three strategies to keep in mind. Remember that your child has changed. While it may have only been about nine months since you dropped your teen off at college, they will come home as a different person. Your teen may have matured since the last time you saw them. They may have different interests and characteristics when they return home. Be mindful that while you’ve undergone some changes, so have they. Inform them that they’re not a guest. College is sometimes a teen’s first step into adulthood. They lived on their own (with roommates), could come and go as they pleased, and ate whatever and whenever they wanted. Because of this newfound freedom, it may take them time to adjust to coming back home. They may need time to themselves. However, set boundaries with your teen when they return. Reminding them to respect other family members and the home is best. Share how things have changed since they left. Have you remodeled or renovated your home? Did you make any changes to the daily schedule? Was anything of theirs thrown out or stored? Are there any changes you’ve made to yourself over the past few months? It’s best to share these changes with your college student to ensure there are no surprises. Additionally, talking about how you’ve adapted to the “new normal” can encourage THE NEST ISN’T SO EMPTY ANYMORE! Is Your Child Coming Home for Summer Break?
Dogs are known for their keen sense of smell — on TV, you will often see dogs that can find missing people or even search for drugs and bombs. When dogs use their extraordinary senses for a particular job, they’re often trained for that one purpose, but even without training, dogs do seem to know something is wrong. ONE SNIFF CAN SAVE A LIFE NEVER DOUBT A CANINE’S SENSES
Roger, the Jack Russell terrier-poodle mix, is a great example.
Our story takes place in Ringwood, England, in December 2022. Winter was in full swing, with temperatures below freezing. No one wanted to find themselves outside in the cold for too long because it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to 94-year-old Morris Cohen, and he almost died. Cohen just got home and parked his car in the garage when he found himself in a spot of trouble. As he tried to exit his vehicle, his walking stick suddenly snapped in half. Unable to keep his balance, Cohen fell and became wedged under his car’s brake and clutch pedals. The man called for help several times, but unfortunately, no one could hear his pleas, and he remained stuck overnight. The next day, Roger’s owners let him roam around outside. Roger began sniffing around Cohen’s home (some believe Roger had heard the man’s calls for help), and once Roger found the elderly man, he didn’t leave his side for the rest of the day. After a couple of hours, Frances Wall, Roger’s owner, began calling for Roger. When he didn’t immediately come home when she called, she started looking for him, and that’s when she found Roger and Cohen. She immediately called emergency services, and three firefighters came by the home to free Cohen. They quickly took him to the hospital because they worried about hypothermia. Over a week later, medical staff released Cohen from the hospital, and now he gives Roger treats whenever he sees him. “I owe my life to that dog. They [health care professionals] said that if I would’ve been there for a few more hours, I would have been a goner,” Cohen told Bournemouth Daily Echo. Fortunately for Cohen, Roger’s amazing canine senses saved the day. It’s always great to have a furry friend around — you never know when their incredible skills will come in handy!
your child to open up about their experience at school and how they’ve changed. The better you understand your teen and vice versa, the better your relationship will be.
Welcoming your child back home is exciting and challenging. But by encouraging open communication and patience and embracing the time you have with each other, you and your college student will enjoy your time with one another.
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