The Grief Parents Don’t Expect When a Child Starts College

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When your child begins college, you may expect to feel proud and excited. You may not expect to grieve.

Parents can miss the daily conversations, familiar routines, and certainty of knowing what is happening in their child’s life. They may also miss being needed in the same way. That grief can appear as sadness, but it can also look like worrying, checking, reminding, fixing, or feeling hurt when a student begins making decisions without them.

In this episode, I explore the emotional transition from parenting a teenager to parenting a young adult. You will learn how to distinguish between supporting your student and soothing your own anxiety, decide when to step in or step back, and begin shifting from manager and problem-solver to consultant, coach, and safe place.

Your role is not disappearing. It is changing from the person who handles everything to the person who helps your child believe they can handle more.

 Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

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Email me:  ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me:  785-380-2064
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