Help! My Kid ’s Home from College and the Novelty ’ s Worn Off

Just as you’ve become accustomed to an empty nest, COVID-19 forced your son or daughter to return from college. Now, both of you are working from home, plus separated from friends, community, school, and job. As you both experience heightened stress from these changes, with no clear solutions or end in sight, it’s natural to feel disappointed, confused, angry, or worried. You’re, living under the same roof, only with new stresses and growing pains. How can you assist young adults in managing their studies and sanity until normal life resumes? How do you help your kid move forward when you yourself don’t know where things are going? The lack of structure has likely worn thin by now. One of my college clients expressed that he doesn’t want “to float around the house all day doing nothing,” yet he struggles creating and following through with routines, even though he has been successful doing so in college. Another client struggles to get out of her pajamas and brush her teeth. “What’s the point? No one is going to see me.” Sound familiar? During this uncharted territory with COVID-19 and social distancing, it’s normal to feel unorganized. A healthy daily routine will ground us and help us manage uncertain times. Use this opportunity to brainstorm ways to create structure, while establishing and following through on healthy family boundaries.  Discuss what’s going on while consciously avoiding old communication patterns and family dynam...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: College Motivation and Inspiration Parenting College Students coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic social distancing stay at home order Time Management Young Adulthood Source Type: blogs