What strategies do you put in place when your college kids come home for the holidays?
With spring break just around the corner, here are 4 tips for not just surviving but thriving in the holidays when your kids come home. Whether they are in college or beyond, things are bound to be different when your adult kids come home to visit. Open communication of expectation is key to enjoying time when your kids come home for the holidays, whether it is spring break, winter break, or summer. While it is nice to have help when everyone is home, a short visit probably is not the time to load them up on chores unless it has been stated ahead of time that it is basement cleaning time.
Tips to Help Your Family Thrive
- Schedule some mutually agreed upon family time before the calendar fills up
- Discuss expectations and respect each other’s space
- Choose an activity or two to do together (see list below)
- Get to know each other as adults
To balance out the time at home, consider choosing an activity or two to enjoy together. You could even share this post with them and have them pick the activities. Getting to know your kids as adults is a mutually beneficial thing. Getting to know their friends or spouses is equally beneficial. Hosting a family game night is a great way to do this.
Activity Suggestions
- game night
- cook meals together (teach them a favorite or family recipe)
- plant a garden or pot a houseplant
- try their hobby (or learn a new one together)
- listen to live music at a concert hall or coffee house
- volunteer together at a shelter
- run errands for a neighbor
- play disc golf or pickleball
- go visit a friend in a nursing home
- tidy up childhood space or redecorate it
- look at old photos together
- go to a game (former high school or professional)
- go on self guided walking tour of your town (search for “one day itinerary” in your town for creative ideas)
- create a new family tradition
- photograph the family recipe file and created a shared folder online for family members
- go thrift shopping
- go on a food tour or progressive dinner
- plan an upcoming vacation
- plan a family reunion
- other? (let each person submit 2 ideas)
Want more tips? Read this guest post my daughter wrote on smooth transitions from college to home.
Table Talk: What is one expectation you have with holiday visits? What do you love to do with your family?
