Keeping Your Kids Safe When They Go To College

Kids grow up fast. One second, they're so small and delicate, relying on you for almost everything, and the next, they can be all grown-up, ready to start their independent lives. As a parent, it can be difficult to adapt to such swift and sudden changes, and many dads can experience new challenges when their daughters or sons set off for college.

There are plenty of positives to this period of life. When your kids become college students, you can find yourself with more free time to spend with your partner, fewer familial responsibilities, and a newfound sense of pride as you see your child blossoming into an adult and forging their own path in life.

However, there are also plenty of downsides, and many dads and moms find themselves suffering from a lot of stress regarding the safety and well-being of their college kids, as well as worries about their academic success and whether or not they'll be able to cope with living on their own. With this in mind, here are some useful tips to help you keep your college kids safe.

Remind Them to Stay Safe and Sensible

Many young people see college as an exciting opportunity to make new friends, attend parties and special events, have a lot of fun, and make many magical memories. It can certainly be all of those things, but it's important to take some time to talk to your kids and make sure they understand that college comes with its own risks and dangers too.

There are many crimes occurring on campus all the time, from sexual assaults to stalking, bullying, coercion, intimidation, and more. Remind your kids to take precautions, monitor their drinking habits, be careful at parties, and so on. In addition, let them know they can contact you if they need to work with Youth Criminal Justice Lawyers to represent them. You can take further steps, such as legal action, contact the police to report a crime, request a restraining order, etc.

Keep in Touch

In many cases, college represents the first steps towards independent, adult life for your kids, and it's important to fully understand that phrase and what it means. Yes, your kids are becoming more grown-up and will need to start doing more things on their own, but there are still just their 'first steps', so you can't suddenly stop supporting them entirely.

You need to still be there for them, letting them know that they have a support line, should they need it, reminding them that they can call or message you if they're struggling with anything. It can be difficult to strike the balance between being there for them while not being overly present or involved, but this is a key part of negotiating the college years correctly.

Care Packages

You might not be seeing as much of your son or daughter as you did before, and they might not be quite as willing to take every bit of advice you offer or always answer every call and message you send, but that doesn't mean you can't show some love and support in the form of care packages and parcels, filled with a range of items.

Young people can struggle to adapt with independent life. It's common for college kids to forget simple things, fail to prepare proper meals, gain weight, struggle with their health, and so on. You and your spouse or partner can prepare fun care packages to send to your college kids, filled with home-cooked meals, healthy ingredients, first aid supplies, and so on. These packages can make a real difference to a young person's mental and physical health, as well as being a great sign of your support.

Prepare Properly

Before sending your child off to college, make the most of the time you have left with them to make some preparations and give them whatever advice you have to give. This is a good time, for example, to look up local hospitals and clinics near their college so they know where to go in case of emergencies, as well as offering some safety tips and guidance to help them out.

You can also offer to help them pack, making sure they've got everything and don't leave any key items behind, as well as doing some research together on the college to learn more about its layout, extracurricular options, facilities, and so on. If your child is open and willing, this is also a good chance to ask how they're feeling and help assuage any fears or doubts they might have.

Final Word

The act of sending a kid off to college can bring a wide range of emotions along with it. Try to focus on the positives of the situation and keep these top tips in mind to help your child stay safe and make the most of their college years.