As the summer days dwindled and the countdown to my daughter’s college departure began, I found myself consumed by a flurry of preparations—checklists for shopping, packing, registration, and move-in essentials. In my quest to ensure her smooth transition, I scoured the Internet for guidance, particularly focusing on articles emphasizing “Key Life Skills Every Child Should Master Before College.”
Regrettably, I soon realized that despite having nearly two decades to impart wisdom, I had a significant list of conversations and lessons that I had not yet tackled. Time was not on my side, and the fleeting days left little room to cover everything before her departure.
Here are a few notable areas where I felt I had fallen short:
- Navigating a Physical Map: In my defense, are these still relevant with today’s reliance on smartphones?
- Basic Cooking Skills: While she expresses a dislike for cooking, she excels at baking chocolate cookies and can whip up boxed macaroni and cheese and instant oatmeal. Does that count?
- Meal Planning: I had hoped to teach her how to plan economical, home-cooked meals. Alas, that didn’t happen either.
- Campus Boundaries: We never fully discussed expectations regarding her staying on campus overnight. Honestly, does any parent genuinely believe their child will remain confined to campus for four years?
- Car Maintenance Basics: I can’t teach what I haven’t learned myself. However, I could provide her a coupon for Jiffy Lube.
- Sewing Skills: I missed the chance to teach her how to mend clothes or sew on buttons, but I did introduce her to double-sided tape.
- Making a Bed: The skill of crafting a well-made bed is impressive, but it’s hard to teach while your teenager is still tucked away in bed, avoiding morning light.
Initially, the realization of these oversights caused me considerable anxiety about my effectiveness as a parent. However, a pivotal moment occurred three weeks before her college departure. When my daughter and her friends experienced a flat tire, they chose to handle it themselves rather than calling us or AAA, despite having a membership. Armed with an instruction manual, YouTube tutorials, and their own ingenuity, they successfully changed the tire. This moment reassured me that even if I hadn’t ticked every item off my parenting checklist, she had developed the resourcefulness to navigate challenges independently.
Ultimately, while I may not have equipped my daughter with every life skill I intended to, I found peace in knowing she is intelligent and capable of learning on her own. This perspective allowed us to shift our focus from last-minute lessons to celebrating her exciting journey toward independence and personal growth.
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In summary, while there are lessons I wished I had taught, I realize that my daughter is prepared to learn and adapt, just as we once did.