Before They Leave: The Talks Every Parent Needs to Have Before College Drop-Off

The countdown to college drop-off has begun, and with it, all the questions: "Did I do enough? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" Today, we're giving you a game plan for their first year away! 

Joining me today is my incredible friend and empowerment coach, Sunni Markowitz, to tackle the big anxieties parents face when their kids head off to college. We discuss setting realistic expectations for freshman year, emphasizing that true success involves building community, managing work-life balance, and learning from "healthy mistakes". Sunni shares invaluable advice on shifting from managing to mentoring our young adults and encouraging them to find their own solutions. We also discuss how to navigate homesickness with empathy and practical tools like journaling. A key takeaway is the importance of having open conversations before drop-off about communication boundaries, handling money, and accessing on-campus resources. This episode is all about letting go with courage and trust, understanding that college is a journey of growth for both our kids and us, and remembering that leaning in doesn't mean disappearing.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Defining freshman year success realistically 

👉 Shifting from parent to mentor 

👉 Encouraging community building and connection 

👉 Navigating homesickness with practical tools 

👉 Teaching financial responsibility and boundaries 

👉 Healthy vs. hurtful parental support 

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Discover more about Sunni and what she offers at Brighter U Coaching.

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