Top 4 Things to Remember when Going Home for the Holidays

By Kayleigh Del Moral

Thanksgiving break is just around the corner and if you’re like me freshman year, this will be your first time back home since you left for college. Hopefully by now you’ve settled into the college life, made lots of friends, established a routine, you probably come home whenever you want, stay out as late as you want, hang out with whoever you want, etc. etc. Well get ready for your world to be shaken up again! Here’s the thing parents don’t tell you when you go off to college: You may have all the freedom in the world at your apartment, but when you’re back home for the break it’s Mom and Dad’s rules… still… the same ones you had in high school. Hopefully your parents are way cooler than this, but if not, here are some things to keep in mind and mentally prepare for before going home.

Curfew

There’s that ever dreaded C-word that you hated hearing before going out in high school. Chances are if you had a curfew then you’re probably going to have a curfew now. Parents don’t care that you don’t have a curfew in college; as mine liked to say “My house, My Rules.” Here’s a hopefully more positive way to look at this situation: Most likely your parents are keeping the curfew rule because they miss you. This might be the only way your parents can think to ensure that you are up and functioning the next day to spend time with them. If you’re out all night will your old high school buddies then most likely you’re not going to be in the mood to do anything the next day. They may not have specific things planed but they just want to be with you. Additionally, I’m sure they know that you’ve taken a few road trips to your friends colleges to hang out and see what they’re night life is like. To be honest your parents are probably a little jealous. Just give it to them. It’s not worth the fight. Not only might you really hurt your parent’s feelings, but then that Thanksgiving, or whatever holiday, will always be tainted with the memory of drama.

Hanging Out With Friends

Sure your friends are important and you probably miss them too, but be careful not to devote more time to friends than you do to family. Despite what we may sometimes believe, friends come and go. Trust me by the end of this college thing you will not still be in contact with all of your high school buddies. By no means should you completely cut yourself off but just keep in mind that your family really wants to spend time with you too. This might be an adjustment since prior to college you lived with them and that was good enough, but you don’t anymore. Mom especially can get their feeling hurt if she doesn’t feel like you miss her as much as she misses you. Little things will mean the world to your family. Try a new recipe with mom, throw the football around with your little brother, watch a ball game with dad, participate in a family game of dominos, just try and make sure that you spent at least one quality moment with each family member.

Watch What You Talk About

You may have some prior experience with this but sometimes it’s important not to spill all the details. Your parent’s will probably have lots of questions and want to know all about your new life in college. Keep in mind that some things are better left unsaid. Parents might get you in a trap where you get really excited about a story or topic and start giving all the details…and then let something. In your parents eyes you might still be the innocent perfect child that they raised. For now, let’s not spoil that. Be very cautions to think before you talk. It’s easy to let minor details slip when you’re not used to hiding certain activities from your parents anymore. Don’t fall for the trap! Same goes for other family members; you never know who your parents have enlisted.

Your Space

We’ve all seen it in the movies, a kid comes back from college and they’ve turned his room into a gym. While this may not happen as dramatically in real life, it’s good to prepare for the possibility. There might be a few extra things stored there or they could have partially taken over what used to be “your” room. As upsetting as this might be TRY and refrain from the automatic feelings of anger and hurt. Yes your parents still love you, no they are not trying to tell you something. Let’s be real, it’s pretty wasteful to have a room sitting there with no purpose for the majority of the year. After all this is your parent’s house, if you had an extra room in your apartment you know you’d take advantage of it. Just look at it for what it actually is, no big deal just a few minor adjustments. In no time at all you’ll be back to the comforts of your own pad.

When all is said and done your family is your family and they’re going to be there for you always. Show them some TLC and let them know you appreciate and miss them. Worse comes to worse you just fake it for the time and then you can hit the road back to freedom!

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