Back to campus: helping your adult child navigate change

At Stampa, we help organisations navigate complexity, change, and reputation management every day. And often, the same principles that guide our work apply beyond the office. Our ‘PR principles for everyday life’ series explores where professional principles meet everyday experiences – because good communication doesn’t clock out at 17:30.

Sending a child off to college or university – and navigating those pivotal first months when emotions run high and routines shift overnight – is its own kind of change management. Returning after the holidays marks another shift: routines re-form, expectations evolve, and emotions can swing from “can’t wait to get back” to “not quite ready”.

At Stampa, we’ve been reflecting on some principles to help our kids transition smoothly after the break.

1. Listen before you advise
We often remind clients that listening is an act of leadership – and the same holds true at home. Instead of jumping in with quick fixes, focus on creating space for your child to share worries, excitement, and unknowns. Active listening builds trust, whether with a CEO preparing for a town hall or a young adult navigating their first months away.

2. Adjust your message to a changing audience
Audience understanding is foundational in our work, and it’s similar with family life. As our child steps into early adulthood, our tone must evolve, moving from directive to consultative. Just as we adapt our approach when a change programme enters a new phase, we need to meet people where they are, not where they were.

3. Choose the right channel
Digital channels can keep us connected but they’re not the best medium for every message. In PR, we tailor cadence and format to avoid message fatigue, and we can take the same approach with our kids. Find out what works best for your situation: perhaps quick texts, occasional calls, and fewer “How’s everything?” check-ins. Thoughtful communication beats high-volume messaging, every time.

4. Encourage, but keep it real
With clients, we balance optimism with pragmatic guidance grounded in context. The same approach can apply here. Realism and context help any audience prepare for change and build their trust in the process. “The first weeks might feel bumpy – and that’s completely normal,” can offer support and help manage expectations.

5. Model calm communication
In crisis communications, tone is contagious. When we stay calm, others tend to follow. We’ve learned that any wobble on our part can amplify our children’s anxiety. Using steady, confident language – paired with a few deep breaths – can help everyone move through the transition with more clarity and less drama.

6. Seek feedback and stay flexible
We regularly check in with clients to make sure our approach still fits their needs. Parenting an adult child is no different: it’ about considering what level of support feels right and adjusting accordingly.

Perhaps now’s an ideal moment to reflect on what’s working, and gently our adjust approach for the months ahead. A little flexibility, just like in our client work, can help our kids feel supported as they settle back into campus life.