This bestselling guide, read by hundreds of thousands of parents over the past decade, is now better than ever, newly revised and completely updated. Based on real-life experience and recommended by colleges and universities around the country, Letting Go offers compassionate, practical, and up-to-the-minute information to help parents with the emotional and social changes of the college years.
When should parents encourage independence?
When should they intervene?
What issues of identity and intimacy await students?
What are normal feelings of disorientation and loneliness for students?and for parents?
What is different about today?s college environment?
What new concerns about safety, health and wellness, and stress will affect incoming classes?
These important issues and more are addressed with wise advice and time-tested counsel in Letting Go -- a realistic and reassuring source for meeting the challenges ahead, from the senior year in high school through college graduation.
Amazon.com Review Letting Go is about what it feels like for parents when their kids go off to college. Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger provide a compassionate approach, practical information, and advice about the physical and emotional processes of letting go. They discuss the college-age child's search for identity, independence, and intimacy; give a succinct and accurate description of how college life has changed over the decades; and provide a year-by-year breakdown of what to expect. Plus, you can read about typical and not-so-typical problems including date rape, crime, eating disorders, drug and alcohol use, and sexual issues. Of special note is the focus on orientation and the freshman year, including the disorientation parents feel once the drop-off has been made.
Letting Go September 30, 2008 Great book for parents getting ready to drop their kids off at college. Very insightful and helpful
This book saved my sanity August 29, 2008 I picked up this book 10 days after dropping my only child, only 16 years old, off at college. I read it cover to cover in two days, and honestly, it was a life-changing experience.
I had thought I was prepared for this transition, but I found myself worrying so much I couldn't sleep at night. My day was either great or horrible depending on whether my college student called or not. I knew I needed some guidance, and this book was right on target.
Much like the best child-rearing books dealing with younger children, it points out the normal developmental challenges faced at each stage, from the start of the college selection process through college graduation. The book gives examples of ways that different students may face these challenges, and how parents can help or hurt along the way.
I found it especially helpful in reshaping how I communicate with my child. There are suggestions for how to get your child to open up and talk about whatever is on his or her mind. I tried some of them, and they REALLY WORKED! There are also examples of things parents might say or do that can completely shut down their student's willingness to share.
I also found the book helpful in coming to terms with the fact that I am no longer in control of my student's choices. Before I read the book, I found that idea quite scary, but afterwards I was able to realize how to make suggestions without being bossy or undermining her developing sense of control, competence, and independence. There is also a lot of good advice about the importance of supporting and affirming your student's decisions.
I recommend this book to any parent who wants to rethink their relationship with their child as they move on to the college stage of life. The best time to buy it would be when you are beginning the college search process in the junior or senior year of high school. But it helped me tremendously even though I didn't read it until she had already left and I was wallowing in the dreaded "empty nest syndrome".
Daughter May 15, 2008 I do not have an opinion for this book as I sent it to my daughter as a gift. She has a daughter who will be going to college in the fall. I thought this might help her with "empty nest" adjusting.
It was ok... not great March 12, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Honestly, I stopped reading it halfway through. This was one of those books that could have been great, however, it is just OK. As a parent, I am actively engaged in my kids' lives. We talk. When they come home from school we eat dinner together. Since I pay the tuition bill, I see their report card. My wife and I discuss things twice before discussing them with our kids. We strive to give the best advice possible. I just didn't feel I needed the hand holding that this book offered. (For that matter, neither did my wife.)
If you want to understand college, read a book written by a college student. Heck, read a funny, irreverent book written by a college student. This book will at least give you an idea of what it is like in the trenches, College 101: The Book Your College Does Not Want You to Read
Great read for any parent December 2, 2007 This book has wonderful suggestions and great insight. A must for anyone wanting to help their child cope with their new environment without getting in the way. Skim the first chapter or so.I found it very helpful.
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