You did it. You packed the car, survived move-in day, lofted the bed without throwing your back out, stocked the mini fridge, and ugly cried in the parking lot.
Your freshman is officially off to college.
Now what?
At first, you imagine yourself talking or texting with your kid every day. Maybe multiple times a day. You’ll be their lifeline, their support system, their built-in safety net.
And then reality hits: classes, clubs, new friends, dining hall pizza runs, and suddenly your phone goes silent. That one-word “good” reply becomes the highlight of your week.
Welcome to parent life post-move-in. Here’s how to cope, how to stay connected without smothering, and a few lighthearted ways to show you care.
The Worry Is Real
Let’s be honest: we sit at home thinking about all the little things.
- Are they making friends?
- Are they eating something other than ramen?
- Do they know how to separate lights from darks?
- Is their Woozoo fan running nonstop because the dorm feels like a sauna?
- And yes… are we frantically scanning crowd shots on ESPN hoping to spot our kid at the football game? (Spoiler: every kid in a white T-shirt looks like yours until the camera zooms in.)
It’s normal. But here’s the hard truth: they’re okay. They’re busier than they’ve ever been, and that’s exactly what they should be.
Why They Don’t Call (And It’s Not Personal)
Remember when you were 18? You didn’t call your parents every night, either. College is overwhelming at first—in a good way. They’re balancing classes, roommates, independence, and trying to figure out who they are.
It doesn’t mean they don’t care. It means they’re adjusting. If you’re only hearing from them once a week, that’s not a red flag—it’s a sign they’re finding their footing.
How to Cope as a Parent
- Keep Busy. The silence is harder when you’re sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. Pick up hobbies, projects, or even join a group like this one (hi, we get it!).
- Set Realistic Expectations. Once-a-week updates may be the new normal. That’s okay.
- Respect Their Space. Don’t panic if they don’t reply instantly. They’re juggling life.
- Celebrate the Small Wins. A random “miss you” text is pure gold. Screenshot it. Frame it.
How to Show You Care (Without a 60-Minute FaceTime)
Instead of pushing them into long calls, find small, thoughtful ways to remind them you’re thinking of them:
- Mail them a card with a funny note. Yes, snail mail still works.
- Send cookies or brownies through a delivery service. Nothing says love like sugar. Insomnia and Crumbl are GREAT!
- Surprise them with a silly gift—something useful but also funny enough to share with their roommate.
- Drop a care package with snacks, dorm must-haves, or even socks.
5 Fun Little Gifts They’ll Actually Use (Amazon Picks)
Here’s a quick list of ideas that ship fast and make great surprises. They’re small, affordable, and guaranteed to make your student (and maybe their roommate) smile.
1. Burrito Blanket 🌯
Because sometimes you just want to curl up and be a human burrito. Bonus: roommates will 100% steal it for selfies.
2. Mini Desk Vacuum 🧹
For cleaning crumbs, dust, and whatever mystery powder shows up on their desk. Small, cute, and oddly satisfying to use.
3. Funny Coffee Mug ☕
They’re going to drink a lot of caffeine. Might as well make it funny. “Surviving on coffee and bad Wi-Fi” never felt so true.
4. LED Strip Lights 💡
Because apparently no dorm room is complete until it looks like a TikTok studio. Easy to install, easy to remove.
5. Microwave Ramen Cooker 🍜
Quick meals, less mess, fewer texts that start with, “How do I boil water?” Enough said.
Final Thoughts
The hardest part of this stage isn’t move-in—it’s the silence afterward. But that silence means your student is doing exactly what they should: building their own life.
Our job now? Support them quietly, love them loudly, send cookies, and yes… keep scanning those football crowd shots just in case.
Hang in there, parents. You’ve got this. And so do they. 💚