A screen door (纱门) allows for an open view while at the same time affording a degree of privacy. _________, communication between parents and their child away at college should have openness in expressing viewpoints but, at the same time, it should demonstrate a respect for privacy. Staying in touch with each other is important because without _________, there is no connection and worry can take over. All involved should try to be _________ in listening to, understanding and dealing with special concerns or needs that arise whether they be from the student, parents or friends.

For the happy student adjusting well at school, calls to home can be infrequent. This is not necessarily a cause for parents to worry. While parents are naturally _________ about what their child is up to, the majority of students are busy getting _________ to their new home, making new friends and _________ to new schedules and activities. The fact is that without any ill intention on purpose, they can spend little time thinking about home and they may not appreciate the degree of their parents’ _________ curiosity.

For the student who is not adjusting well at school, calls to home will probably be made more _________. This circumstance can bring a _________ period for both parent and child. For the parents at home, it can be terribly __________ to sense their child is unhappy. It is difficult to judge how we should react to this challenge: as __________, we want to bring our children home to the safety of our nest; in our parent-teacher role, we want to __________ the ties and allow our child the opportunity to make it on his/her own.

For the student away at school, unhappiness can be lonely and frightening and in some cases, it can lead to depression and illness. There is a sense of __________ for some homesick students who fear that Mom and Dad will __________ their inability to cope with the new environment. This is especially true when the homesick one sees classmates adjusting somewhat effortlessly. No matter what the circumstances are that have created __________, communication between parent and child must remain open, honest and in balance.