4 Things to Do While Your Kid is Away at College

NEW YORK, February 9, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: At long last, the day has come when your child has left the nest. Although you've planned carefully for this moment, it's hard to believe that it's finally here. This is an exciting time in your child's development and means some big adjustments for the whole family. You've built your life around being a parent for so long, and it's easy to be nervous, sad, and uncertain about the future. But it's possible to make the transition easier for both you and your child—new beginnings don't have to be scary! Here are four things to do when your kid first goes off to college.  

Acknowledge your feelings

You've raised them from the time they were in diapers, and now they're on their own: taking the next big step in preparing for their future, becoming adults, and realizing their dreams. The house is quieter than it's ever been, and it's normal to feel a sense of loss and absence and to struggle with your purpose. Acknowledge your feelings and trust that they're a part of the process. Sending your child off to college is an accomplishment to be celebrated and a significant milestone in your life. Give yourself grace and compassion, allow yourself space to adjust to your new normal, and trust that you're right where you should be. 

Give them space

Your child is entering a new world with opportunities and freedoms they've never experienced. They're learning to survive on their own, become independent, make big decisions, and spread their wings. It can be hard to give them the space they need to learn from their mistakes, but it's important that you let them grow and thrive on their own terms. You've put in the work and shaped them to be the person they are today. Trust in what you've given them, take a step back, and cheer them on as they shine.  

Make plans

You have more free time than you've had in years—celebrate it! Reach out to your friends to organize lunch or dinner plans, test out that new recipe you've been wanting to try, start working on your golf swing or yoga practice, tackle your reading list, and spend some time taking care of you.

Organize your finances

It's natural that your child going away to college can raise some financial concerns. You've set some money aside, but unexpected expenses always pop up. Planning for how you'll pay tuition in the future and navigating bumps in the road doesn't have to be stressful. This may be a good time to examine your budget and plan for the year ahead. Consider all your sources of funding. For example, if you have a universal life insurance policy, you may want to consider using the cash value to help with tuition fees, room and board, and textbooks—everything your budding scholar will need. 

The primary purpose of permanent life insurance is to provide a death benefit. Using permanent life insurance accumulated value to supplement retirement income will reduce the death benefit and may affect other aspects of the policy.