3 Things to Do With Kids Before College

The summer before your child leaves for college can be bittersweet. The pride that you, your spouse, and your child all feel for reaching this important milestone can't help but be shaded with a little bit of sadness. Your baby is grown up. In ways both big and small, for reasons that will be joyful as well as challenging, everything is about to change.

Don't let that emotional weight turn your last summer together before college into one long to-do list. Make the most of this time and strike the right balance between things that have to get done and things that your family will always remember doing together.

1. Prioritize Joy and Family Connection

Creating a summer bucket list might help your family be more intentional about stepping away from the college checklist to spend quality time together.

Take a trip, whether it's a big family vacation or a few weekend getaways scattered throughout the summer.

Revisit childhood favorites, like playing sports together, hiking through your favorite parks, visiting a theme park or ice cream parlor, or having a family movie night every Friday.

And make the little moments count, whether you’re having coffee together in the morning or shopping for dorm essentials.

These activities can reduce the tension and boost the feelings of support and connection that will help your child succeed in the fall.

2. Teach Essential "Adulting" Skills

Your student may have aced their SATs. But have they ever cooked a meal for themselves? Done their own laundry? Navigated solo to their doctor's office?

Those first few weeks of real independence can be jarring for new college students. Help ease the transition by offering a summer "crash course" in some essential life skills, such as:

·Laundry: Don't just show your child how the machine works and how to separate colors. Make them responsible for their own clothes for the rest of the summer (and hopefully, the rest of their lives).

·Kitchen and Nutrition: College dining halls and local restaurants don't always have the healthiest options or inspire the healthiest eating habits. Make sure your child knows where to find fresh food around campus. If they do have access to a kitchen, show them how to cook a few easy family recipes.

·Transportation: If they're bringing a car to college, where will they park? What public and on-campus transportation options are also available?

·Health Care: Review how your child’s insurance works and find providers close to campus.

·Financial Literacy: By now, your child should have at least a savings and checking account. Make sure they know how to access these accounts. Discuss their monthly budget, including their room and tuition fees, and who's paying for what. And share some do's and don'ts of opening credit accounts.

3. Gather Essential Legal Documents

Once your child turns 18, you lose many legal rights that you've taken for granted their whole life.

To protect your child and your own peace of mind, talk to your attorney about whether your child should have:

·HIPAA Authorization: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects your child’s privacy. A HIPAA release form grants healthcare providers permission to share your child’s medical information with you.

·Living Will or Healthcare Directive: Authorizes you to make medical decisions for your child if they are incapacitated or unable to make medical decisions for themselves.

·Power of Attorney: Authorizes you to handle financial and legal matters for your child if they are unavailable or incapacitated.

Are there any money worries piling onto your family’s college stress? Let’s meet and review how your Life-Centered Financial Plan is ready to support you and your child during this major transition.

At LI Wealth Management, we believe preparing your child for college is about more than tuition and dorm shopping, it's about helping your family navigate one of life's biggest transitions with confidence. From building financial independence to planning for the future, every step matters. Visit our website or book a free session today. Together, we'll review your Lifeline and create a Life-Centered Financial Plan that supports your family's goals, both on campus and beyond.