Healthy Relationships: Being a Parent in 2026

Parenting is a lifelong endeavor. There is no “on or off switch” to the love we have for our children. Maybe a “pause – I don’t like them right now” button. But we always return to the deep love, care and protection we feel for our adult children – no matter their age and as long as we live. 

With a new year, this might be a good time to try out new and/or enhanced ways of interacting and connecting with your student. Many parents find the college years to be a challenging time when your student is learning, growing and evolving, and you are trying to keep up with them by adapting and adjusting to their changes and your own. You may see opportunities for growth in your relationship. You may see strengths in your relationship that you’d like to celebrate.  You may have worries or fears about their current state and/or their future. You may have great joy in watching them thrive. 

This is a great time to slow down and notice your thoughts and feelings about the relationship you have with your student. What, if anything, might invite that deeper connection, celebration of their successes – big or small, stability of knowing that you’re there with that ongoing love, care, non-judgmental listening ear, witness to their challenges and joys. What do you want in the relationship that adds to the connection?

Are you celebrating yourself as a parent? The many ups and downs of parenting that you’ve made it through – still alive. The lifelong journey you’ve had that has led you to today? It’s just as important to acknowledge and celebrate yourself and your role in their life. You’ve helped them become who they are today. 

Relationships matter. They keep us healthy and resilient to life’s many surprises. Healthy relationships even directly impact our mental and physical health, academic and work success. In this new year, we wish you a continued and/or newly created healthy and strong relationship with your student now and into the future. 

As always, the Dyson Wellness Center (DWC) is here to support your student’s mental and physical health. The DWC is an integrated health center that provides CONFIDENTIAL medical, counseling and interpersonal violence support services and health education to the campus community. The Dyson staff believe in sharing important heath information to help students make informed choices. Remind your student that they can visit the DWC Hub page to see a detailed description of services , eligibility and to meet our team.  Your student can request an appointment online on the website, call or stop by to schedule in-person or telehealth appointments. The Center is open Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Questions for the Dyson Wellness Center, contact dysonwellness@noctrl.edu or 630-637-5550.