Parenting College Students: Recommended Reading List

This post includes a list of fourteen books of interest to parents of college students.  The list is not inclusive: there are more books out there.  The authors of these books have different styles and different approaches.  Some are probably better than others.  We are not endorsing any of the books, but hope that the list will serve as a resource for parents who want more information.  You won’t want to read them all, but look for some of the titles that intrigue you.

Over the next few months, we plan to review some of these books to provide a bit more guidance about their content and approaches, but in the meantime, enjoy gathering some additional information – and recognizing that you’re not alone in your joys and concerns about your student heading off to college.

Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens Through the Twenties (order directly from Amazon)

Arnett, Jeffrey Jensen

(2004) Oxford University Press

Doors Open from Both Sides: The Off To College Guide From Two Points of View: Parents and Students (order directly from Amazon)

Bane Woodacre, Margo and Bane, Steffany

(2001) American Literary Press

I’ll Miss You Too (order directly from Amazon)

Bane Woodacre, Margo E. and Bane, Steffany

(2006) Sourcebooks, Inc.

(Read our review of this book here.)

When Your Kid Goes to College: A Parent’s Survival Guide (order directly from Amazon)

Barkin, Carol

(1999) Avon Books

Parenting College Freshmen: Consulting for Adulthood (order directly from Amazon)

Bips, Linda L, Wallitsch, Jessica, & Wallitsch, Kristina

(2003) AuthorHouse

Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years – 5^th ed. (order directly from Amazon)

Coburn, Karen Levin, and Treeger, Madge Lawrence

(2003) Quill Harper Collins

(Read our review of this book here.)

25 Ways To Make College Pay Off: Advice For Anxious Parents From a Professor Who’s Seen It All (order directly from Amazon)

Coplin, Bill

(2007) Amacom

(Read our review of this book here.)

(There’s a review of this book by Nate Desmond available at DebtFreeScholar.com)

A Parent’s Guide to Sex, Drugs and Flunking Out: Answers to Questions Your College Student Doesn’t Want You to Ask (order directly from Amazon)

Epstein, Joel

(2001) Hazelden

Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to College (order directly from Amazon)

Johnson, Helen E., and Schelhas-Miller, Christine

(2000) St. Martin’s Press

Let the Journey Begin: A Parent’s Monthly Guide to the College Experience (order directly from Amazon)

MacKay, Jacqueline and Ingram, Wanda

(2001) Wadsworth Publishing

Closing the Gap: A Strategy for Bringing Parents and Teens Together (order directly from Amazon)

McGraw, Jay

(2001) Fireside Books

Almost Grown: Launching Your Child From High School to College (order directly from Amazon)

Pasick, Patricia.

(1998) W. W. Norton & Company

You’re On Your Own (But I’m Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years (order directly from Amazon)

Savage, Marjorie

(2003) New York: Simon & Schuster

(Read our review of this book here.)

Empty Nest, Full Heart: The Journey From Home to College (order directly from Amazon)

Van Steenhouse, Andrea

(2002) Simpler Life Press

If you’ve read any of these books, leave a comment and share your opinion and recommendations.  We’d love to hear what you think.

Related Posts:

Gift Books for College Students: Some Recommendations

Parenting College Students: More Recommended Reading

Parenting College Students: Still More Recommended Reading