Just like the Xmas song says…
There's No Place like Home for the Holidays – anyone saying those words always makes the song flutter right into my head. And although the song is always a Christmas classic, going home for the holidays might be a little more dreadful.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and I sure do love to travel back home, but that doesn’t discount the fact that once you are all moved out, it is hard to get back into the swing of living under your parent’s roof.
From having to tell them where you are going, to when you’re gonna be home, to what your grades are looking like, and many other prospects about college – being home again is so overwhelming.
Tips:
Avoid avoid avoid the politic talk
We all know how family and politics goes at the dinner table… especially in an election year like this one.
No matter who in your family tree you agree with politically, there always seems to be that one relative that cannot keep their opinions out off of the dinner menu.
So my best tip here is to just stay out of it. Let your relatives go to par and just sit and enjoy your mashed potatoes and hopefully many glasses of wine.
Remember that although you have your independence, it is still your parents’ house
This one is difficult to get back into once you have moved out. My freshman year of college was cut short by the pandemic and let me tell you moving all the way back home for 3 extra months was not on the plan for the year. Although obviously COVID made it easy to not do anything, it also made it difficult to feel like I was right back in high school again.
What got me through this was the fact that although I do crave my independence, being under my parents roof means still being a part of their rules. It is difficult to uproot your routine, but hopefully you are able to make a new one with your parents in a slight compromise way.
Don’t stay stuck in, get out and do the hometown things you love
Unless your parents moved after you graduated high school or you go to college where you grew up, hopefully you are back to your hometown! This is the perfect opportunity to get out and do the things you used to love.
Personally, being from the southwest and going to college here in Alabama, my first stops back home are In and Out and Dutch Bros. Also, can never forget to pick up some street tacos because the Mexican food in Alabama is just not the same
However, shoutout to La Mexicana. This is both a foot truck and a restaurant in the student center and the food is sooooooooo good. The pastor street tacos >>>>> can't go wrong.
No matter where you are from, this is the perfect time to romanticize your home town. Take advantage of it, you are not there long.
Yes you’re an adult, but your parents are still your parents
I promise you this as a now senior in college, the parental advice/intervention never ends. BUT your parents ~typically~ mean so well with what they are saying.
Although sometimes it feels like they are just nagging on you, often, they are just trying to tell u something that they think is helpful or will stop you from making a mistake. So, its just your parents being parents, so let em at it.
PSA: this does not apply to if your parents are ratting on anything physical, how you choose to identify, and just regular non harmful life choices. Don't let them police you on that!
Don’t let your relatives bully you into feeling like you need to know what you are gonna do with your life
This is a big one. Why does it seem that every time you go home some relative thinks you should have the next 30 years of your life planned out, multiple prospects for a spouse, enough money for a house, straight As, 9 post grad jobs lined up, etc.
I promise you do not need to have it figured out yet.
I’ve changed my major three times, transferred once, and have no idea exactly what time going to do post grad except for that it will have to do with advertising, but I feel fine and secure to what my future will look like.
So don’t let any of your relatives bully you into feeling like you need to know exactly where your life is headed. You might not even be legally old enough to drink yet, why should you know what your future HAS to look like?
Don’t let it get you down
Now, these tips may be helpful to a certain extent but, of course, every family operates so differently. If you are truly someone who dreads going home for the holidays due to the implications, know that you are not alone among your fellow students.
But, if you are anything like me and love to go home but know it means feeling like a kid again, I know you will be able to power through.
