College 101 Pre-Requisite Course

Okay, so your little high school angel has survived the ACT, the SAT, the applications, and the anxious wait. He's been accepted to college. He's coasting through second semester in high school, looking forward to graduation and maybe first week at the beach or some other wonderful "I'm an adult" trip. And he's acting like a little jerk.

What happened to this kid who actually treated you civilly? You managed to get along pretty well compared to other kids and parents. When did the body snatchers come and replace him with this alien? Be not afraid. This phenomenon is what I call "College 101 pre-requisite."

You know you worry about sending him off to college, away from the safety net of your home and influence. You know you'll miss him. You anticipate the tears as you drop him off at his dorm. You dread saying good-bye to him.

Believe it or not, he's worried about the same things. Add in excitement and anticipation. Then throw in anxiety over things like: will I fit in? will I be able to make the grades? will I get homesick? how will I take care of myself? what if I get sick? and you have a major conflict warring inside your kid. What you see, however, is the end result of this conflict - a flip attitude and defiant behavior.

God does this to make it easier on all of us. He allows this precious child to become obnoxious just prior to going off to college so that we CAN'T WAIT to see him go! Conversely, he allows the relationship with the parent to sour enough for the child so that he CAN'T WAIT to get away from us! Ergo, it's much easier to say "good-bye."

Once the dust settles, your little angel will polish off his halo and sprout new wings. Well, maybe. At least his horns will fall off. When he comes home that first time, you'll see a marked change. An almost adult-like change. Then he'll raid the refrigerator, ask for some money, hand you his dirty laundry, and you'll recognize your child once more.