General Quick Tips:

• Count on change.
• Be flexible.
• Be aware of expanding roles for young men and women.
• Understand the importance of diversity in your children's lives.
• Assess what parenting techniques worked in the past.
• Respect your child's attitudes and choices in light of gender roles and expectations and cultural differences.
• Demonstrate family strengths by encouragement and support.
• Respect your child's opinion.
• Promote separation, not separateness.
• Value connection.
• Promote empathy.
• Become an emotional trainer.
• Understand the reasons for the similarities and differences between the generations.

Expectations:

• Renegotiate the parent-child relationship.
• Build support networks with other parents of twentysomethings.
• Be aware of society's complexities that can overwhelm twentysomethings.
• Be mindful of the dualities of your adult children's youth.
• Expect an extended period of dependence.
• Have reasonable expectations for independence.
• Understand that college does not prepare young people for adulthood.