About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges parents face when their college kids return home for the summer and how to navigate the changing dynamics.

Your college kid is back home for the summer... and suddenly you're wondering whether they're still your child, a guest, or a roommate who leaves dishes in the sink. This week, Dr. Ken and Cynthia tackle one of the trickiest parenting transitions: when young adults return home after months of living life on their own. From curfews and chores to tracking apps and family vacations, they discuss why many of the rules that worked in high school don't work anymore. They also dive into the harder stuff—what happens when your child comes home with different beliefs, different priorities, and a strong desire to spend most of their time somewhere other than your living room. If you've ever felt hurt, frustrated, or completely unsure of your role now that your child is growing up, this conversation will help you navigate the tension between holding on and letting go. Turns out, the very independence you've been working toward all these years feels surprisingly personal when it finally arrives. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here You can order Cynthia's…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Ken, Cynthia

Topics covered

• parenting transitions
• college students
• independence
• family dynamics
• communication
• rules and boundaries

Keywords

• college kids
• summer rules
• parenting
• independence
• family
• communication
• boundaries

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Feeding The Mouth That Bites You, Life Is Messy, God Is Good, How'd I Miss That

More episodes of Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

• Episode 260: Best of July - Does My Teen Really Need Counseling? · July 21, 2026 · 32 min
• Episode 259: Best of July - When Spouses Disagree on Planned Emancipation · July 14, 2026 · 28 min
• Episode 258: Best of July - You're Only Human Part 2 with Dr. Kelly Kapic · July 7, 2026 · 20 min
• Episode 257: Best of July - You're Only Human with Dr. Kelly Kapic · June 30, 2026 · 18 min
• Episode 255: Is Your Teen Being Sneaky—or Just Growing Up? · June 16, 2026 · 29 min

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