267: My Kid Has Been Accepted to College. But Is She Ready to Go?

Your teen got into college. Now comes the harder question: are they actually ready to go? If you're wondering whether they have what it takes to handle a difficult roommate, navigate the college party scene, or make real friends on their own, you're not alone. This is one of the most common, and least talked about, worries parents carry into the summer before college drop-off. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan cut through the anxiety to give you a clear-eyed, compassionate framework for assessing your teen's readiness, and practical steps you can still take right now, even if you're not sure they're there yet. 💡 YOU'LL LEARN: - The two real indicators of college readiness - How to talk to your teen about roommates, parties, peer pressure, and personal safety - Why smartphones are making social adjustment harder, and what actually helps teens find their people - When it might be wiser to delay college or take a gap year, and how to do it without derailing their future - How to have the big pre-college talks when your teen keeps slipping out the door Whether your child is heading to campus in the fall or years away from that moment, this conversation will help you feel more grounded, more prepared, and less alone in your worries. ________________ Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’ resilience, build their confidence, or support their emotional well-being? Dr. Lisa and Reena have got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids. Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday. ________________ Episode keywords: teen college readiness, is my child ready for college, sheltered teen going to college, college freshman social anxiety, college roommate conflict advice, preparing teen for college parties, helping passive teen be assertive, college gap year decision, when to delay college, teen making friends in college, sending anxious teen to college, college transition tips for parents Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, lisa damour, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices