Going to college is not only a new experience for you, the student, but also your parents. The house undeniably feels empty without your presence. Some parents try to fill this void by getting a pet, others go to a lot more get-togethers to gather with other parents who are in the same boat. And then there are some parents who do their best to feel like they’re always with you – in other words, texting and calling you a lot.
We love our parents, but sometimes we just need to step away and fully embrace the college experience of living away from home. That can be hard to do if you have overprotective parents, though. Here are 11 things they do on a regular basis – how many can you relate to?
1. Ask how you are/how your day is going 30 times a day
Don’t they know I’m always going to respond with “fine?"
2. Freak out if you don’t answer the phone and/or their messages
Contrary to popular belief, college students do other things than being glued to their phone screens. Heck, we balance classes, clubs, social life, staying fit – we all deserve medals.
3. Make you print out your schedule for them every semester
And of course, you tell them of any room changes, even though class building names mean less to them than gibberish.
4. But then text you even when they know you’re in class
What is the point of giving you my schedule?! And then when I do respond while I’m in class, I get “Aren’t you in class??” Yes, mom, and this isn’t high school where teachers confiscate your phone if they see it out. We are adults.
5. And still get upset that you don’t reply within 30 seconds
I am trying to learn.
6. Make you text them either good morning or goodnight every day
It’s half cute half extra.
7. Make you set a schedule of when/how often you will call them, FaceTime, etc.
A bit of an exaggeration, but they definitely say “you should call us every day whenever you have a chance” or “why don’t you FaceTime us more?”
8. Ask you 1000 questions when you do something outside of your daily routine
“Who will you be with? How long is the event? What kind of food will there be?”
9. Ask you for your roommate’s/housemates’ phone number(s)
Sigh.
10. Text and/or call your roommates/housemates once you fail to pick up 5 of their phone calls
It feels more embarrassing than the worst public humiliation you could imagine. Like, Mom, if you had just waited 10 more minutes…
11. Love you more than you can imagine
At the end of the day, I remind myself that they do all this because they care about me.
