Summer & The College Freshman: Surviving your first summer & growing back together again.

They've done it and you have, too. Their first year away has come to an end and you unload that last bunch of "stuff" you don't even know how they fit into that little dorm room. Your mom heart is so full and they're HOME...but then they're outta there before the garage door can shut. They've started their re-entry into all they knew just a year ago. Their friends are waiting and you're standing over piles and piles of their stuff. Let's be honest, it's stuff you would really be fine with never seeing again. SO MUCH STUFF.

This is where the battle begins. The battle of your new independent college kid and your house rules. The house that somehow kept running even when they were gone. The house that, more than likely, has a few other schedules to respect and other personalities to honor. Summer is here and let the "growing together again" battle begin.

After a few weeks of butting heads, late nights texts and waiting up for them, we had to set a few rules we all could agree upon. How many nights at home are needed and how many nights with your friends are needed? You did your laundry in college so I think you could help out a little here, too. Let's not drop everything you have worn the last day in my kitchen as you run out the door to your tee time, ok? :) This isn't a bed and breakfast.

Let them settle in and feel like it's home again, BUT then you need to have the talk. It's important to remind them the world (and your home) doesn't circle around one or two people. Your home still needs to have some structure to allow everyone to have their best summer. Have the talk and set some rules to allow for "growing back together" again.