About this episode

Dr. Cristie Ritz-King and her daughter Faith discuss the challenges and growth experienced during the transition to college life from both a parent's and a student's perspective.

Nearly a year after sending my daughter Faith off to college, we're finally sitting down to talk about what that transition really looked like — the messy, uncomfortable, growth-filled truth of it. In this episode, Faith and I dig into what we're calling the "weeds of the week": growing pains. From both sides — me as a mom and a parenting professional, and Faith as the one who actually lived through it. We cover: - Why I drove six hours alone on Labor Day weekend — and why I'd do it again - The isolation Faith felt as an out-of-state acting major navigating COVID anxiety on a relaxed-policy campus - How that one visit helped her claim the campus as *her* place, not just a place she was surviving - The sophomore housing decision I disagreed with (and never said "I told you so" about — until she figured it out herself) - Why setting honest, low expectations for freshman year might be the best thing I did - The car breakdown that proved Faith could handle real life without us - Why parents who tailgate are actually doing their kids a favor (you're welcome) - My one parenting tip: **ask questions instead of giving answers** — it's how you help them see without telling them what to…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Cristie Ritz-King

Guest: Faith

Topics covered

• college transition
• parenting
• growing pains
• mental health
• family dynamics

Keywords

• college
• parenting
• mental health
• growing pains
• COVID anxiety
• family
• expectations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: COVID

Books & works: Husbands and Lovers

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