Letting go can be something parents don’t want to do. But when you send your kids off to college, giving them their space is par for the course. They’re leaving the comforts of home to start figuring out who they are as young adults. Simultaneously, your college kids still need your advice and support occasionally.

It’s a dilemma many parents struggle with. How do you give your burgeoning young adult the space to grow while showing you’re there for them? It requires thinking back to your earlier years and what you needed most. If you’re looking for inspiration while you travel down memory lane, here are four ideas.

1. Get Well Package

Being under the weather in college is rough. Your student is already experiencing a stressful time in their life. They have increased academic demands, they’re away from home for the first time, and they’re navigating a different social scene. Coming down with a cold or the flu may make them wish for their parents’ care.

Although you might not be able to be there physically, you can show your support from afar. Send them a get well gift full of warm soups or pasta, rolls, and desserts. Your student will appreciate the thoughtfulness as they heat up their warm meal. They also won’t have to drag themselves to the dining hall when they’re not feeling up to it.

Besides comfort food, you’ll be able to send a personal note with your get well wishes. If you want, throw in a comforter and some socks. You can also add tea and honey. It’s a way to acknowledge you’ll always be their supportive parent, even as they’re taking on the responsibilities of adulthood.

2. The Essentials

It might be hard to remember, but young adulthood can be incredibly stressful financially. In college, you’ve got your classwork and exams to worry about. At the same time, you might be working to help cover some of your expenses. You could be paying part of your tuition and shelling out money for books. On top of this, you’ve got everyday costs like food, cleaning supplies, clothes, and transportation.

Adding insult to injury, the kind of jobs you get when you’re younger don’t necessarily rake in the big bucks. An Ellucian study shows financial stress impacts most college students, with 59% reporting they’ve considered dropping out because of the pressure. Unsurprisingly, the stress takes a toll on kids’ mental health. Seventy-eight percent of study participants reported negative effects.

As a parent, you can help alleviate some of their anxiety by sending your college students the essentials. Put together a care package with lotion, shampoo, trash bags, vitamins, laundry detergent, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Add an extra touch by including phone chargers, a tablet for schoolwork, and pillows for their bed or couch. If they’re living off-campus, see what they need for their apartment and give them a head start.

3. Gift Cards

Does your child have a favorite place near campus they’d love to visit more? It could be a restaurant, a bookstore, or a movie theater that shows independent films. Maybe there’s a day spa with self-care packages to help them unwind after a stressful exam week.

Sending gift cards to these places can give your college kid a boost, both mentally and financially. They can experience a treat they might not be able to afford on their own. You could also send your child generic gift cards that any store accepts. Perhaps they’ll use it to stock up on groceries and snacks for finals.

The money could be used to buy clothes, especially if they’re in a different part of the country with unpredictable weather. Gift cards can be a more secure way to send money, whether your student is in the dorms or off-campus. Prepaid cards also give your child flexibility, letting them get what they most need.

4. Private Online Group

Sending love doesn’t always have to involve gifts. Before the internet, parents sent cards and photos to stay in touch. You can do the same by starting an online group for just your family. Make it private so others can’t see it.

Share messages, including snapshots of how each of you is doing. These groups can be a way for you to send encouragement to your child while they’re away. If they’re struggling with an assignment or a life decision, be there to listen. Talk them through it if they’re open to hearing your wisdom.

Schedule weekly check-ins if this feels right to you both. You might check on each other less frequently if once a week is too much. Whatever you mutually decide, you can share activities you’re participating in and take videos of your child’s favorite places near home. Some online platforms might have video conferencing tools so you can also talk live. It’s a way to stay connected while maintaining that personal touch.

Supporting Your Kids During Their College Years

College is a time of transition for your kids. If they’re the first in the family to pursue higher education, some of the normal struggles could be even more jarring. Budgeting financial aid and exposure to peers from various backgrounds can make them feel like a fish out of water. But for non-first-generation students, taking the plunge into young adulthood isn’t necessarily a cakewalk.

The difference is their elders have had similar experiences and may be able to relate better. Regardless of whether you’ve been to college yourself, you can show your support in tangible and non-tangible ways. What’s most important is that your kids know you’re there.