237: Homesick at College: What Parents Can Do?

Watching your child head off to college is a proud moment. But what happens when the late-night phone calls come, full of tears and homesickness? If your teen or young adult is struggling with the transition, you’re not alone. More and more students are finding the leap to college emotionally overwhelming, and parents are often left wondering: Should I step in, or step back?

In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan share compassionate, practical advice to help parents navigate this milestone. Dr. Lisa draws on decades of expertise and her own parenting experience to explain why homesickness is normal, how to support your child without taking over, and what to do if college just isn’t the right fit… at least for now.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why homesickness is on the rise (and why it’s not a sign of failure)

- How to balance being available with encouraging independence

- Ways to support younger siblings who are missing their college-aged sibling

- How to assess college readiness and when to consider alternative paths

Whether your child is weeks away from college or already on campus, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and strategies you can use right now.

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Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/

Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com

Episode keywords: college transition, homesick teen, college readiness, teen support

Show keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence