<p>I'm a freshman. It makes me feel bad, but in general I don't miss my parents all that much, even though they're 6 hours away. I guess because I know I can always just call or text them, plus I appreciate the independence.</p>
<p>Well, they're here visiting me right now. I haven't seen them since winter break, so 5 weeks. We spent parts of the day bickering, but that's pretty normal. We spent a fair amount of time just driving around and exploring because none of us really wanted to shop or see a movie, and we could only spend just so much time at restaurants. I also found myself not having a lot to say to them... it's not that I can't hold a conversation with them, it's just that honestly there's nothing that new or exciting to tell them. When there is, I usually text them about it anyway.</p>
<p>I think they might think that I just don't want to tell them about my life. I told them that's not the case, that I really just don't have any new news. And I felt bad because I couldn't really come up with anything for us to do.</p>
<p>I'm seeing them again in the morning and then they're leaving. I'll see them again in 3 weeks. It's just weird because it's like I don't miss them all that much but I do look forward to seeing them... but then when they get here, all I can do is feel guilty that they're not having a good time and that they feel like I don't want to see them, even though I try my best to not seem that way.</p>
<p>Sorry, at this point I'm just rambling about my feelings, but I guess I'm just wondering if anyone ever has a similar experience when their parents come to visit?</p>
<p>How about taking them to your classrooms, cafeteria, library, etc… Show them your favorite study spot, or night time hang out.
Tell them you want to show them where you are during the day so that when you text them, they are familiar with it. What you’re going through is so common. They miss you and aren’t sure how to relate now that you’re independent (yet not totally) and you probably feel the same way. Give them a glimpse of your daily routine. They will appreciate it and it will make them feel a part of your life</p>
<p>You may not think that you have anything new to say, but your parents probably aren’t expecting any groundbreaking news. They just want to know how your doing, that you’re settling in, that you’re eating well, that classes are going well, etc. It’s okay to just talk about things that might seem really commonplace to you but are good for them to hear. Just talk to them the way you would normally talk to them. You can tell them about your friends or your classes or your professors. Maybe how you’re liking your major or whether you’re thinking of getting a job. </p>
<p>Something that I do when I see my parents is to ask if anything’s new with them. I don’t talk to my parents very often so it might be different for you, but I just ask if there’s anything that’s going on in their life or in the rest of the family. It’s a two way street. You shouldn’t have to hold the whole conversation yourself.</p>
<p>As for things to do, it’s not a bad idea to come up with a general tour of your college and local area for when people visit. Things like: popular restaurants, local landmarks, any popular tourist attractions, anything the area or school is “known” for. I used to have a general “tour” for areas that I’ve lived for when people visited. What you might take your parents to would be different than what you might take a friend to, but it’s usually good to have a go-to restaurant and local “attraction” to take people to. Maybe ask around for what’s a popular restaurant and take you’re parents there next time. If there’s anything touristy in your town, you could do that as well. It might help if you come up with a couple of ideas beforehand that you can pitch to them, so you aren’t trying to come up with something random in the moment.</p>
<p>It’s definitely not abnormal to feel the way your feeling. I felt a lot like that in college, but my parents also didn’t visit very often so it wasn’t as much of a problem. Try not to put so much pressure on it. They just want to see that you’re doing well, and after your first year, the visits will probably tone down.</p>