CHENEY, Wash. – Parents all over the region are preparing to send their kids off to college if they have not already.That is why Nonstop Local spoke with Maria Reyna at Eastern Washington University (EWU) about things parents should be thinking about but aren’t.Reyna says regardless of what college you are sending your kid to, it’s important to open a line of communication with your child about their academics.It is not like high school; you cannot just look up their grades whenever you want. You also can’t see if your kid is skipping class.Talk to your child. You can ask them to fill out a Release of Information (ROI) that will allow you to see what they want you to, but either way, Reyna says it is important to talk to your kid directly.Reyna also says it is important for parents to build a plan for their kid outside of the classroom and to make sure they are safe.A lot of parents can track their kid’s location through their smartphone. Reyna says this could be a good idea, but you can also reach out to campus safety and see what programs they have to support your child if they feel unsafe.You can also have a serious conversation about being a resource for them if they do get in a pinch. If something goes wrong, you want to know that they will call you.”Being mindful that [parents] are there to support them,” said Reyna. “And knowing that they are young adults and they are going to make mistakes, and so being there to support them is really key…”Reyna also says it’s important to encourage your kid to participate in extracurriculars because students do better when they get involved.They make friends that will last a lifetime, they find passions that they did not know they had, and they tap into their creative juices that keep them showing up and excited to be at school.So, as a parent, Reyna says to help them discover opportunities, help them realize their passions, and decide where to participate.Then follow up with them. Ask your kid how much time they are spending alone vs with a group. Ask how they are enjoying the start of their college experience. Transition can be hard, make sure they are okay.Lastly, Reyna says to see if your school’s tuition covers an insurance plan and figure out if your family plan covers clinics in the area. She says if your kid needs help, you need to know that they can get it, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional. Make sure they have the support that they need.”I know that it’s not going to cover major medical expenses, so it’s really important to know what is it that the insurance is going to cover through the university and having that backup plan if they don’t cover things that [your kid] may need long term…”
