When Kids Come Home for College Break

This Christmas, I received one of the best gifts — having my college-aged son home for Christmas break. I counted down the 19 days from him being home for Thanksgiving to his arrival for Christmas. It seemed like forever. But now, time is flying by. And the days are dwindling until he goes back to school for the start of Spring semester. In these past three weeks, I’ve learned a lot about what happens when kids come home for college break.

Sleep is Their Best Friend

For starters, when college kids come home for break, they’re tired. And, I mean really tired. The long days and long nights of studying for finals (and maybe attending a few parties in between) have finally caught up with them. Their bodies and their brains need a rest. So, don’t be surprised if they rise and shine around noon. It’s been four months of sleep deficiency, after all. And, who can resist the luxury of sleeping alone, in their own room, in their own bed, in peace and quiet?

Their Dirty Laundry Seems Endless

After a big hug and a kiss, you can expect a big bag of dirty laundry to go with it. Why spend money using the dorm’s washer and dryer when they can bring it home and have it done for free? So, be sure to be caught up on your family’s laundry before their arrival. Because once they return, your washer and dryer will be on overtime.

You Might Not See Them

Be realistic about your expectations for family activities, gatherings, and bonding time. Because when college kids come home for break, the first thing they want to do is catch up with their high school friends. The end result – you may not see them a lot. Especially, when they first get home. For instance, my son was out the door that evening and again early the next day to be with his buddies. It was back to pick-up basketball games at the YMCA to eating out at local restaurants while watching the latest sports programs. For me and for him, it felt like old times.

Their Schedules are Radically Different Than Ours

The biggest change I noticed is the difference in our schedules. The routines established while they lived at home are radically different than those in college. For example, meal times are all over the place. Sleeping in until noon means that breakfast is eaten during lunch time. Therefore, eating lunch occurs during the dinner hour and dinner is later into the night. And bedtime? Let’s just say that my goal of tucking him in bed at least one night for old times’ sake didn’t happen. In fact, most nights I was sound asleep well before my son’s head hit the pillow.

They Imagine a Well-Stocked Kitchen That’s Open 24/7

I cook dinner every night for our family. But when my son came home from college, there was an endless search for food at all times of the day and night. With the long hours of the dining halls at college, it only seemed natural for our kitchen to be open 24/7. As a result, the beeping sound of the microwave as the late-night snacks were prepared became routine. In addition, what was once thought to be a well-stocked refrigerator now was considered bare. Moreover, my attempt to make ‘gourmet’ meals fell flat compared to the pictures my son would send me of his meals on campus. Who can compete with an endless variety of food and themed-night dinners? Many nights, I felt like he was eating better at school than we were at home!

Boredom May Set In

A few days into college break, and I sensed something. My son seemed bored. Sure, he didn’t miss the homework or studying. But he missed the constant activity of being at school. It turns out that what used to be a flurry of activity in our home wasn’t much activity after all.

By the End, They’ll Be Ready to Fly the Coop

As our time together is drawing to a close, I can tell that my son is ready to fly the coop. He’s ready to go back to school. The texting and Instagram posts with college friends just aren’t enough. He misses being with them and, let’s face it, he misses his independence too. But this is a good thing. In fact, I consider it a blessing. In other words, it means that he’s happy there in his ‘home’ away from home.

College Life is an Endless Series of Hello’s and Goodbyes

I’m learning that college life is an endless series of hello’s and goodbyes. It’s like a revolving door where our loved ones come into our life and then go out again. It can set our emotions on a roller coaster ride. And, each time we say goodbye, it can feel like we’re right back where we started from when we dropped them off that first day of college.  So, in a few short days, reality will set in for me and I’ll be saying goodbye to my son yet again. But, as always, I’ll be counting down the weeks until we say hello again. Next time, it will be for Spring break. And, it will be something I’ll look forward to no matter how different the break may be.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

What changes did you notice when your child came home from college break and what lessons did you learn? Please share in the comments section below.