University students across Canada are gearing up for Reading
Week. Last year the Dal News (our daughter attends Dalhousie University) put
out this list of Top
10 Ways to Spend Reading Week.
Of all those options, we’re glad our daughter will be spending
her week at home in Barrie. Here are some of the things we’re thinking about as
we prepare for her visit:
Activities
There’s no shortage of things to do in and
around Barrie in the wintertime. I would also love to skate or walk along
the Ice
Trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park.
Meals
I know one of the things my daughter is looking forward to
is homemade meals. If Thanksgiving and Christmas are any indication, we’d
better loosen our belts because we’ll be indulging in all her favourites.
Family dynamics
There is always an adjustment when someone has been away and
returns. She’s bound to get more of our attention, and that won’t go unnoticed
by our other children.
And as independent as our kids get when they’re living on
their own, back at home they tend to jump right back into the habit of letting
Mom do everything for them again. It’s only natural, and can happen when we
return home no matter how old we are.
Shopping
Our daughter is in residence so she may not need the same
type of care package as someone living on their own. Plus there is only so much
she can pack into her luggage for the flight home.
Still, I’m sure her wardrobe will need some replenishing (starting with the bras, of course),
and let’s think ahead to spring and warmer weather!
Studying
It’s called Reading Week for a reason, and I’m sure my
daughter will have assignments and studying to do. It may be hard to remember
that our kids have been developing their own independent study skills at
university, and we should encourage that rather than swoop in again like when
they were in high school.
Friends
We have to accept that we’re not the only ones our daughter
wants to spend time with while she’s here. And it’s not just about sharing her
time, I’m also going to have to share my car!
Thinking ahead
Reading Week is a prime time to secure a summer job for when
the school year ends in April. In fact, a lot of summer
jobs like camps have been hiring already and may even have closed their
applications by now.
They’ll be a lot of competition on the job trail. Students
can start with a basic web search (“My town + jobs”), and then branch out from
there.
Brabary and other local stores often hire summer help
because their regular staff want to take time off.
For some students, this is also time to confirm accommodations
for next year, if they haven’t already.
Do you have a child coming home for Reading Week? What’s it
going to be like at your house?
