You may think that as an "independent, fully functioning adult" of a college student, you can allow yourself to become more distant from your parents. However, I am of the belief that as you get older and slowly grow apart from your life at home, it's more important than ever for you to let your parents know you care about them. Love and affection for the family never goes out of style, and here are some ways to make sure of that with your own parents.
1. Fold/put away the laundry without being asked.
If you're fortunate enough to live in a household where you don't necessarily have to do your own laundry, the least you can do to let your parents know you care is to pitch in around the house. This will allow for them to take an extra breath during their hectic days, and they'll thank themselves for raising such a proactive, helpful child. I try to do this as often as possible, partially because I don't like seeing clothes piling up in my room, but mostly because I like seeing my mom smile when I've helped her out.
2. Give them hugs at random times, for no reason.
Unless they're handling heavy furniture or lighting candles, there's never a bad time to give a parent a hug. Even as a college student well removed from my younger childhood, I still find myself compelled to hug my parents if I'm leaving the house or if I just happen to walk into a room they're in. Not everyone is a hugger, but even if hugging isn't your game, try to make an exception for your parents every once in a while. They'll be touched.
3. Arrange some time to spend a night in to hang out with them.
Spending time with hometown friends over the summer is wonderful, but part of the joy of a summer at home is spending quality time with your family. I've had many nice summer evenings watching movies or TV with my parents and just enjoying my time with them. Balancing time between friends and family allows you to fully appreciate the company of all your loved ones when you're home.
4. Add extra heart emojis when you text them.
This may seem trivial, but every heart emoji in a text to your parent adds one smile, or so I imagine. It's a sweet way to punctuate an everyday conversation. My parents seem to appreciate my (over)use of cute emojis, so why wouldn't yours?
5. Pour them a cold drink when they come in the house.
Especially on a hot summer day, if you're home and one of your parents walks in the door after a long day at work or a busy afternoon, why not sweeten their arrival with a cool, refreshing drink? It's a nice gesture that lets your folks know that you care that they're home. Just make sure to put some ice cubes in the glass first!
6. Write them extra heartfelt birthday cards.
I'm a bit notorious in my house for writing extra-long birthday cards to all of my family members, but this is especially true for my lovely parents. I try to not only wish them a happy date of birth, but also communicate my immense gratitude for all they've done for me that year and throughout my life. Parents often say that homemade gifts and cards are the best presents, and it's because these simpler tokens of appreciation have the most heart.
7. When you're at school, schedule times to chat or FaceTime with them.
No matter how busy I was during my first year of school, I always made time to call/FaceTime my family once a week to catch up, make silly inside jokes, and enjoy their smiling faces. It was always very comforting to know that however stressful my week had been, my smiling parents and sisters were there at the end of it. Your parents always want to know how you're doing, and when you schedule times to talk to them, it can add a nice extra bit of love to your week.
8. Compliment them on dinners they make for you.
I'm also notorious in my house for absentmindedly saying "This is delicious" while eating, without even realizing it. Making meals is often a thankless task, so next time you sit down to eat with your family, take an extra second to let them know you appreciate their hard work.
9. Actually say "I love you" to your parents at least once a day, just because.
They deserve your affection, and they'll always appreciate your verbal expression of that affection. Parents are the ultimate givers of love in the world. They love us no matter what, and in the midst of the hectic lives that they help support and provide for us, sometimes a simple "I love you" can fall by the wayside. It shouldn't. Tell your parents that you love them. We have Mothers Day and Fathers Day, but every day should be Parents Day.
