When she’s lacking confidence, remind her of her strengths and accomplishments. Resist the temptation to constantly give her advice. Allow her to make her own decisions, and support her through them.
Be available for your daughter for phone and Skype calls. Resist the urge to micromanage your daughter’s life or know every single detail. Some separation between you both is healthy.
A nice heart to heart over a meal will offer comfort and security for both of you. Listen more than you talk. Give her a chance to tell you how she’s feeling about moving away from home. Reflect on her successes and dreams, and tell her you are proud of her accomplishments and positive choices in life. If you sense your daughter is struggling, ask her what she needs from you. She can suggest ways for you to support her that would be welcome.
Take out your photo albums and show her college pictures, or photos of your first apartment or home.
Decide together if you want to pack up some of her things, or update her room, but don’t force this or rush it. If you decide to move, include her in the process. Send her pictures of the places you’re looking at.
Ask a friend to do something together so you have something to look forward to the days after she leaves.
Go to a local museum. Find a restaurant with her favorite type of food.
Do her laundry for her when she needs an extra hand. Prepare a warm, home cooked meal.
When she’s home, plan a dinner or small party with family and friends. Go to a spiritual teaching together (church, synagogue, mosque, or temple, etc. ).
Add in some of her favorite cookies for her to share with her roommate, friends, or husband. If you don’t bake, send her an edible arrangement, or a box of fresh fruit for healthy snacks.
Go to the bank together to set up a savings account and learn about what services and accounts the bank offers. Teaching her a healthy wariness of carrying debt can help her make smart financial choices.
When you visit, take her food shopping and fill up her fridge with healthy foods. Make her favorite meals and freeze extra portions for later.
Ask her if she’d like to take self-defense classes at her school or near her home. Teaching her to be vigilant in certain situations can help keep her safe. Relating some basics about internet safety, such as not sharing her personal information or location on social media, can also be valuable.
Take her clothes shopping and buy her a suit, or professional attire, for interviews. Set up a meeting with a life coach or consultant to help guide her in her dreams.
