During this time, your young adult will be moving out and exploring the world on her or his own - testing values and commitments and, inevitably, testing connections with those important to them. Such transitions create some strain in even the most significant relationships and, thus, require some assimilation and change in order to achieve a new and comfortable fit. College students, although striving for independence, also need to know they have a 'secure base' to return to as the need arises. However, they generally wish to return to this 'base' on their own terms. For example, they often desire your advise and opinion, but typically only when they ask for it, and not without such invitation. These are generalizations of course, and not true for all families or all students.