It’s October, and that means pumpkin candles, leaves turning color, and Halloween decorations on the porch.

But if you’re a parent who just launched a kid to college, October also means something else — the homesick month.

After the excitement of move-in day fades and the newness wears off, the reality of being away from home settles in. The roommate might not be as easy to live with as they hoped. The dining hall food isn’t quite like mom’s cooking (shocker!). The classes feel overwhelming. They might be struggling with finding their people. And the independence they were so eager for… suddenly feels a little lonely.

Then comes the call.

Sometimes it’s not even a call — just a short text that says, “I hate it here” or “I think I picked the wrong school” or maybe it simply says “I want to come home”.

Or it’s something you just sense — the hesitation in their voice, the quiet pause that wasn’t there before, the way their words suddenly sound a little heavier.

When that moment comes, take a deep breath and remember: this is normal.

Homesickness is a sign of growth. In the sweetest of ways, it means your child has something wonderful to miss. It means they felt safe, loved, and deeply connected at home— and now they’re learning what it feels like to stand on their own.

Being homesick is an emotional adjustment that happens when students leave behind the familiarity, routines, and relationships that made them feel secure — and step into a brand-new world where everything feels different.

It’s the heart’s way of saying, “I’m adjusting.”

If that call comes in, don’t panic. And definitely don’t start googling transfer applications. Your kid isn’t breaking down— they’re growing up.

Remind your student that it’s completely natural and almost everyone feels this way at some point. That missing home doesn’t mean they’re not ready to leave— it means they’re human.

You might say something like:

“I know this part is hard, but it’s also temporary. You’re adjusting, and that takes time. You’ve got this. Your feelings are valid but also normal”.

Remind them that hard doesn’t mean wrong. Growth often hides inside discomfort — and October is just part of the growing season.

So take a deep breath, pour yourself a pumpkin spice latte (or something stronger, no judgment), and trust that your homesick college kid is finding their way — one dorm-room tear, one late-night ramen, and one phone call home at a time.

Homesickness isn’t failure — it’s simply love stretching across miles.