When our oldest child was preparing to head out for her first year at the university, a wise and experienced mother of six told us that when she took their oldest off to the university, she cried all the way there, the entire time unpacking the car, all the way home and for the next two weeks. Then she assured us it gets much easier saying, “With our youngest, we drove onto campus, slowed down the car and pushed him out the door.”
She was right. It did get easier each fall as we took our three children off to the universities. But it was never easy.
When children head to college each year, we are excited about what the new school year will hold for them, but we also are concerned as to how they will handle the “College Experience” and the influences they will encounter. Will their new friends, professors, and expanded horizons take them in a positive direction—aligned with God and His teachings? Or, will the influences direct them away from what is truly in their best interest and away from the values and faith we tried so hard to instill in them during their formative years?
If your college son, daughter or grandchild has been away for week or two and are (hopefully) missing you and the security of home, now might be the perfect time to assure them of your love and to help them persevere in his or her faith by sending a care package that will last a lifetime.
Everyone knows how much college students love care packages. Especially ones with a personal hand-written note. Sometimes parents and families bring care packages on Family & Visitor weekends and leave them in the dorm for them to find them after they leave. Some families send care packages for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays and during mid-terms. Most care packages include the student’s favorite treats which, with the help of their roommates, are quickly gobbled up.
To provide a more lasting care package, you might also include something to help them keep Jesus and their faith front and center in their daily routine. These reminders will help them avoid the distractions and temptations of the college experience. Here are some suggestions. (I have provided links to make preparing your package easy.)
Of course, your student may not appreciate opening a care package to find ALL of the above in one package. But spread over the course of the school year, they are likely to realize that, wherever they are, Jesus is right there with them to guide and protect them. You can also enroll your student (and family) in a perpetual Mass association, and tell them you have done so, so they know they are being prayed for.
Another way to help your student stay connected with their faith is through their phone. Periodically send them a quick “I’m thinking about you text” and along with it include a scripture verse, saint quote, or a link to one of the many great Catholic apps and podcasts. Here are some links you might send.
Popular podcasts such as:
Pray and ask God to guide you as you prepare your “care” packages this new school year. Then set reminders on your phone or calendar to remind you to prepare and mail care packages that will last a lifetime all throughout the school year. Subtle little reminders spread out over the year can help your student avoid the pitfalls of the college experience and help him or her grow in their love for Jesus that will last a lifetime.
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. — Proverbs 22:6
To dive deeper in your knowledge of learning and living the 10 Commandments on a daily basis in order to experience true joy and freedom, visit our 10 Commandments Page that corresponds to each of the 10 Commandments.
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