American psychologist and etiquette expert Diane Gottesman gave some practical advice to help parents cope with their child’s departure to another city for education.

As the expert says, the time when it’s time for a child to leave home and go to study in another city is difficult not only for the newly-minted student, but also for his parents, writes Huffington Post. To be calm about the health, nutrition and everyday life of your son or daughter, Diane Gottesman offers several recommendations:

1. Create a communication plan

The expert recommends drawing up a communication plan that states how many times a week you will get in touch. It is best if the calls are no more than once a day, gradually reducing to one call every two days.

2. Discuss proper management of finances

If this is the first time your child has to manage their own budget, then you should help them create an initial spending plan. In addition, the expert recommends discussing the issue of student part-time work.

3. Discuss safety

According to Gottesman, it is very important to make sure that the child knows the basic safety rules and is familiar with the procedure for dealing with unexpected situations.

4. Send packages

In order for the child to feel cared for at a distance, the specialist recommends occasionally sending packages containing candy, homemade jam, warm socks or any other items that will please the student.

As the psychologist says, constant monitoring of the page by parents fetters the teenager in communicating with peers and creates in him a feeling of complete distrust on the part of mom and dad. Moreover, with such behavior parents do not allow the child to become independent. Diane Gottesman strongly recommends learning to respect your son or daughter's personal space.

6. Don't take things personally

According to the psychologist, many parents are offended by their children and even start scandals if they do not want to come home for the holidays or devote little time to communication. In this case, it is important to understand that the child wants to see new places, communicate more with new acquaintances, and there is nothing wrong with that. Therefore, these facts should not be perceived as a manifestation of dislike on the part of a son or daughter.

7. Do not touch your child’s empty room without his knowledge.

Another common behavior among parents is making changes to their child's room without their knowledge. As the psychologist explains, when parents re-equip the space to suit their needs and deprive their son or daughter of their corner, this is perceived as their unwanted presence in the house. To avoid conflicts, Gottesman advises always discussing any changes in the room with your child.

8. Find a new hobby

To make the child’s departure not seem so painful, the psychologist suggests finding a new hobby. This will help not only fill the free time, but also give you new acquaintances.

9. Don’t burden your child with work when you get home.

According to the expert, it is important for parents to understand that the child’s arrival for the holidays is not a reason to dump all the homework on him. This behavior will only lead to a worsening of the relationship between parents and children. Let students enjoy the weekend and catch up with old friends, says psychologist.

10. Relax

As Gottesman says, every person sooner or later goes through a period when the time comes to leave the parental home and learn to be independent. The psychologist advises to give this opportunity to your children and not to be afraid for them, since failures will only give experience, and in case of problems, children always return home.