"Where parent behavior becomes a challenge for us is when they encourage dependence, and they become too involved because they are afraid their son or daughter will make a mistake," says Tom Miller, a University of South Florida dean of students.

I know far too many people that were raised in this kind of environment. I was not one of them, thank god. I was always encouraged to be very independent and while my parents kept me safe, I made a lot of decisions for myself, starting from a very early age. It drives me insane to hear the parents of friends *still* trying to control and shelter their kids, now well into adulthood.

"When I went to college in the '70s, contact with my parents was standing at a pay phone on Sunday afternoon," says James Boyle, College Parents of America president. "And there was no expectation beyond that."

I didn't even call that often. Once every 2-3 weeks. And I'm pretty close to my parents, just not constrained by that closeness.

Mommy, tell my professor he's not nice!