Making the move out of your parents place can be a little daunting. O.k., a lot daunting.
Courtesy of Brenda Bradstreet & Northwestern
University is a big step to take, and not just with switching schools. A lot of students make this the moment they move out of their parents place – for good. After watching the challenges her own children went through after their big move, Brenda Bradstreet decided to write the recently released guidebook: Going Solo to help students ease into this new stage and embrace the independence that comes with it.
Pony: What inspired you to write Going Solo?
Brenda: When my own kids left home, I thought they were prepared for everything. But like most things in life, it’s in the doing that really makes something sink in. When they called me with their various questions, I realized that there was a need for a practical guide.
Pony: So for students about to leave home, what can this book do to help them with the process?
Brenda: For students who are heading off to a post secondary school, there is a packing list in the book and tips on what to expect. If they are going straight to an apartment, there are tips on what to look out for, and how to stock up your basic kitchen items, recipes, etc. If they plan to travel, there are travel tips and a section on first aid and health.
Pony: Do you think it’s easier to move in with roommates or to live alone?
Brenda: There are advantages and disadvantages. Having a roommate will cut down on costs by sharing rent etc. but there can be a lack of privacy. But then again there can be comfort in having someone at home when you return at the end of a long day.
Pony: What about staying close to home vs. moving out of town?
Brenda: Living out of town will probably make you more self-sufficient and as long as you have a good phone plan and make use of Skype or iChat, you won’t feel so disconnected from home. Our son is in Australia right now and from a mother’s point of view, it makes it easier for me to be able to see him when we talk.
Pony: What do you think is the hardest adjustment one has to make after going solo?
Brenda: I think the hardest part is the total responsibility for your own choices.
Pony: Is there a particular age you think someone should be moving out from their parents place?
Brenda: I don’t think there is a right or wrong time. There are too many variables.
Pony: With both a son and a daughter, did you find their challenges any different when they each left home?
Brenda: Not really, they both traveled and set up their own apartments. Their questions were actually pretty similar. They both seem to have some food phobias. One smells everything before eating and the other is fanatical about expiry dates. So I guess there were a lot of food storage related questions between the two of them.
Pony: True. Grocery shopping in itself can be a bit overwhelming. For those of us that have already left home and have recently settled in on our own, what can this book do for us?
Brenda: The book provides recipes and a guide to safe food storage: you have had sliced ham in the fridge for 5 days – should you eat it? It contains important health issues that some people may not know. For example; taking antibiotics might make birth control pills ineffective. Young women need to know that! There are also solutions to repairs and household maintenance, first aid, travel tips, finances, painting, the all important what-to-do-if-the-toilet-is-overflowing, tips on tying a tie, and even some basic instruction in poker!
For more information on Going Solo, visit the website here.
XoXo
– The Cowgirls
Thank you, it was bothering me that I couldn’t figure this out. Thanks again!