Parent and Family Weekend: A few ways to make it count
- Bridget Williams Golden
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
Parents and Family Weekend is one of those milestones that sneaks up on you. Your student is a few weeks into the semester—settling into classes, figuring out dining hall hours, and maybe even learning how to do laundry (fingers crossed). And then, suddenly, it’s time for you to show up on campus for a few days of family, fun, and maybe a glimpse into their new life.
So how do you make the most of Parents Weekend? Here are a few do’s to help guide you:
Do: fill your kid’s refrigerator.
College students never outgrow the joy of a stocked fridge. Whether you take them grocery shopping or arrive with reinforcements (snacks, freezer meals, or even laundry detergent), you’ll fill both their fridge and their heart.
Do: fill your kid’s heart and soul.
A hug, some encouraging words, and time together can go a long way. They might not say it, but they need it.
Do: take them—and their roommates or friends—out to dinner.
Your student will love introducing you to their new circle, and nothing bonds college students quite like a free meal.
Do: attend some of the Parent & Family Weekend events.
Yes, they’re sometimes cheesy. But they also show your student you’re invested and excited to be part of their world.
Do: wear the right merch.
This weekend is about their school, not yours. Even if “your” team is playing in a huge game, leave that sweatshirt at home and proudly sport your student’s colors. It’s a small way to say, “I’m here for you.”
In 2024, we had an amazing time (truly!) attending a trivia night with our son’s academic department. Initially, our son said, “Let’s go for a little bit so I can get some extra credit.” Well, we had a blast and didn’t leave early! There were 22 teams and Team Golden was in sixth place going into the final round. The topic was “literary figures” and we decided to wager everything (similar to the Jeopardy final question). Fun fact - Thom and I both have baccalaureate degrees in English. Our son Patrick told us to lock in and James said, “Mom, you’ve been preparing for this your whole life.” It ended up being a question about what instrument Sherlock Holmes played to relax. I did not know the answer, but Thom and our college-aged son, Andrew, knew it was the violin. We placed fifth! Go Team Golden!
This past weekend (2025), we also had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Henry Cloud—best-selling author, psychologist, and leadership expert. With a daughter who recently graduated from college, Dr. Cloud spoke on parenting, transitions, and boundaries—sharing wisdom that resonated deeply. (Fun note: Thom gave me a copy of Dr. Cloud’s book Boundaries over 20 years ago!)
A few takeaways from Dr. Cloud that we loved on parenting college students:
Move from boss to consultant. In the college years, parents aren’t the CEO anymore—the student is. Parents serve as the “consultant,” making suggestions, asking questions, and holding accountable, while the student makes the day-to-day decisions.
Ask yourself: “What am I doing for them that they are going to have to learn to do themselves?”
“Think of it as one frame in a much longer movie...enter into those frames helping them get to the final scene of a script they’re writing.” Parents can walk alongside their students as they write their own script.
At GEC, we see this every day—students stepping into leadership of their own lives, while parents shift roles to support, guide, and encourage. As we’ve said before: you start by teaching your child to drive and sitting in the front seat…and, scary as it might be, eventually they drive on their own.
Parents Weekend isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. Show up, cheer loudly, buy snacks, wear the shirt. Most of all, enjoy the opportunity to see your student growing into their own life and writing their own script.
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