It’s almost time again for Thanksgiving and it only means one thing — reunion. It also means that the student you sent to college will come home soon. Knowing how kids are these days, you might need some help with making sure the reunion is indeed a happy occasion.

Call your child and ask him what his plans are. For him, going home is being with his family, and also with his friends. If he’s planning to spend Thanksgiving somewhere else, try to understand his need to spend time with others.

Be prepared for character changes. Your child has gone to college and sure enough there will be a lot of new things about him. If it isn’t a tattoo or a freaky hairstyle, it’s probably a change in personality. For all you know, he could even be a vegetarian now. When you call him, ask him what kind of food he’s craving for so you can prepare it.

Help him relieve some of the stress. It’s right after exams so he’s still probably burned out and exhausted. You can help him recover his strength by making sure his old room is still as comfy as it was.

Analyze him. Is he homesick? He can’t wait to go back to the college? If your child is homesick, you can help him deal with his homesickness by telling him how much fun college is going to get after the present sem. Tell him it’s normal to find the first sem tough. If he’s too excited to go back to the university and you’re hurt that he couldn’t be a bit more homesick, try to understand him. Remember how you were also too excited about your college life when you were his age? Just make sure he knows your guidance is always available to him should he need it. That would be all he need to make him want to come home. Ask him to call you when he has the time so that you will always be connected.