It means letting go and giving them your trust. But that is not always easy. Because do they act as sensibly in difficult situations as you would like them to? Student life is a special phase of life full of challenges, in which young people explore and push their boundaries. It is therefore not surprising that students drink more alcohol during this phase of life than at any other.
More influence than you think
Research shows that, as a parent, you still have a significant influence on your child who is studying. Even if they do not obediently do everything you say. The period leading up to student life is precisely an important time to pause and discuss with them the challenges that life as a student entails. So take the opportunity this summer to have a relaxed conversation with your soon-to-be student.
Ask questions and encourage reflection
By mainly asking questions, you help your child start thinking about difficult situations. And they will already be somewhat prepared when those situations actually arise. This makes it easier for them to make a sensible choice later on.
Share your own experiences
And perhaps you can give them some tips. For example, tell them what you did to avoid drinking too much when the pace of drinking around you was high: alternating a beer with a soft drink, for instance. Or putting your half-full glass aside. In the podcast Help ik heb een puber by Kluun and Yvanka van der Zwaan, Ninette van Hasselt, Head of the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Programme, gives tips on how you can help your almost-adult child with this step in their life.
Listen to other parents’ experiences
Or listen this summer to the podcast Na de Limonade, which we released last year. In it, journalist and podcast producer Maarten Dallinga talks to parents of teenagers. Ninette van Hasselt shared insights and tips in every episode. It is certainly worth listening to by the pool, while walking along the beach, or in the evening while enjoying balmy summer nights.
More tips?
No time to listen to the podcast? Or would you rather read during your holiday than put on a pair of headphones? The website helderopvoeden.nl contains more information, tips and practical guidance, and in the new factsheet Alcohol en Studenten we summarise our knowledge of the subject, along with new facts and figures. It is a factsheet for student counsellors and prevention workers, but certainly also interesting for parents.
Whether you decide to listen to the podcast or read a little more: remember that, as a parent, you still have a major influence on your child. What you have taught them (and perhaps repeat once more this summer) will help them in one way or another later on. We hope we can help you a little on your way to finding the right balance between letting go, trust and parenting.
Have a lovely summer!
Source: Trimbos Institute.