Home for the Holidays?

by Nathan Magness

Christmas break for a college student means relaxation, rest, family and friend time, and—let’s be serious—boredom. For the past three months or so, your schedule’s been packed with class, work, and play. And now, all of a sudden, you’re back home for three weeks with Mom & Dad. We know you love ‘em, but being home for such an extended period of time can be a drag. Instead of twiddling your thumbs, hosting a three-week movie marathon, or spending way too much time on Facebook, how about hanging out with and learning from your parents?

These few weeks at home are a great time to nail down those practical life skills you need for the future. And the best thing about it? You don’t have to take a class, read a book, or surf the Internet. Moms and dads are wells of knowledge when it comes to this stuff. And trust us, they’ll love that you want their help.

So what kinds of things are we talking about? Here are a couple of short lists to get the ball rolling—one for moms and one for dads.

Mom:

•How to sew on a button or repair a hem

•How to bake a cake or prepare a favorite dish

•How to remove a stain or sort the laundry

•How to organize a closet or efficiently pack a bag

Dad:

•How to check and change the oil in a car

•How to change a tire or jump-start a dead battery

•How to repair a leaky faucet or change out a light fixture

•How to patch a hole or work a power tool

Whatever you decide, spend quality time with Mom and Dad. Talk to them, learn from them, and just hang out with them. Before you know it, your college days will be over, and you’ll be out there with your own home, your own car, and your own responsibilities.