The “breakdown” call
This is my most common phone call to my mom by far. When things get overwhelming or seem like they’re going downhill, I always call my mom and essentially have a meltdown. For some reason, being able to talk to her and get her advice on whatever’s going on just makes me feel so calm. Even just talking about everything that’s on my mind and having her there to listen is so comforting and really helpful. Almost no one has a better listening ear than a parent. When times get tough, parents know what to say and do to help us chill out and inspire us to take on our challenges.
The “can I borrow some money?” call
Even if we don’t want to admit it, many of us have most likely called our parents and asked to borrow some money at some point. University is expensive and unexpected costs are lurking around every corner. I’ve called my parents on a few occasions for “financial assistance—from help covering my tuition to my groceries.
The “I might be failing a course” call
One of the worst calls to make, but one that can be good to make. While no one ever wants to tell their parents that they may or may not be failing, being honest with them is the best way to get support and figure out what to do next. Honesty is the best policy, right? That rings very true in this situation. Besides, if you can’t tell your parents, who can you tell?
The “gossip call”
Sometimes you just have to tell your parents all the latest gossip. Parents might be “professional adults,” but they still love some hot goss just as much as the rest of us, even if they have no idea who or what you’re talking about. They like to be included in this chapter of your life.
The “how do I do X?” call
If you’re anything like me and still have no idea how to do most adult things, you’ve made this call more times than you could count. From cooking and cleaning, to your loans and credit, parents are an encyclopedia of knowledge for everything adult. My mom has answered so many questions like this, as soon as she picks up the phone her first words are, “What do you need to know now?” While Googling how to do something can be helpful too, I usually go right to my parents since they have tried and tested methods for everything from fixing clogged drains to how long you can keep leftovers.
The “I miss you” call
I make this call almost weekly. Being away from home, especially if it’s your first year, can be a hard adjustment. Checking in with your parents can make the long times away a little better and lift your spirits. And I’ll let you in on a little secret: your parents miss you as much as you miss them, and every time you call, it’s the best thing eve