By Shay Greenwood
I read the other day online, “You will spend the majority of your life knowing your children as adults, but for a brief moment you will get the chance to know them as kids.”
As we raise our children, the days feel so long, but the years are short. Watching our child go off to college can be a bittersweet experience filled with both excitement and anxiety. It’s the beginning of knowing them as adults and establishing a friendship with them.
If your child is starting college in the fall, here are a few ways to make the transition easier:
1. Pray for them
Make prayer a central part of this new season. Pray for your child’s safety, growth, and spiritual well-being. It’s never too late to encourage them on the importance of prayer. Take the lead and ask, “Can I pray for you?” And then, do it right then. Allow God to lead and guide you. Trust that God hears your prayers and will provide peace for both you and your child.
Allow Philippians 4:6-7 to encourage you: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
2. Encourage independence
Encourage your child to embrace their new independence. Let them make the phone calls and set the appointments for activities so they can learn how to navigate life without you before they leave. Instead of dictating to them, let them take the lead, and you be there only for support.
Remember that the foundation you have built in your child’s life will guide them as they make decisions on their own.
3. Trust in God’s plan for their future
Remind yourself and your child that God has a purpose and plan for their life. Encourage them to seek God’s guidance in their studies, friendships, and decisions. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Trust that God is at work in your child’s life, even when you may not see it. Encourage them to lean on their faith as they face new challenges and opportunities.
It’s so important as your child transitions to college to embrace this new season with joy. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Keep praying; God is all powerful and is the one who holds every detail in His hands, including your child’s future. You can trust Him. He’s faithful to provide. Let go and enjoy getting to know your children as adults.
Shay Greenwood is a Certified Kingdom Life Coach who loves helping women live with more love, joy, and peace in their lives. She’s a wife to Roosevelt and mom to Bria (Cameron), 28; Chandler (Bo), 26; Noah, 24; Jacob, 23; and Adam, 13. You can find her @shaygreenwood on Facebook and Instagram and @MommaJaywood on Tiktok.