It seems like a long time off, the first fall of your son or daughter going off to college. It might, however, be time to prepare yourself(ves) now for the changes ahead. One thing you might not have thought of is that the Buckley Amendment, passed in 1974, has assured the fact that you can not see your son’s or daughter’s grades if he/she is 18 years or older.
Yes, you may be paying and supporting your child through college, but you do not have access to his or her personal documents, including grades and conduct citations or rulings. That is why it is time now to begin a discussion and create an understanding about your role as parent(s). Talk to your son and explain why it is important to you and him to have full communication. Establish with your daughter that your interest in her records is about her welfare and success not because you want to police her. Try to make you son or daughter sensitive to the team effort required to make a college education work.
You might also want to read “What is Your Role as a Parent” at College Basics’ home site that takes you through some other changes in the parent/child relationship once the college years begin.
