If you’re a parent, it’s smart to keep in touch with your children’s schools. Whether your children attend pre-school, elementary, middle or high school, each of those connections is a core network where you meet other parents and guardians through PTAs, booster clubs, and team sports.
The same thing holds true for colleges your grown children may attend. From the minute your brand new freshman steps on campus, be involved. If they are living on campus, get to know the resident assistant. Go through the dorm and try to learn the names of your children’s neighbors.
If your children have gone out of state for school, keep abreast via phone and online. Go on the university web site and see what events are available for parents to attend. Give it your best shot, and attend if possible. Sometimes when children leave home for college and it’s the first time away, this new-found freedom can lead to unexpected behaviors. Even though you are not with them, try to maintain contact as much as possible. Visit if you can and arrange for your children to come home during extended holidays.
Since the school network is made up of parents and guardians, these people have virtually the same concerns and priorities as you. This commonality makes the school network the ideal group of people to get to know and share your Life, Livelihood and Legacy with, and if there isn’t immediate interest, something may develop over time. They are all leads that may eventually become friends and part of your business organization.
There’s no need for a hard sell, but a lead doesn’t turn into anything until you start a dialogue, listen for any needs, and offer a solution.