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Asking Eric: Parent feels loss when college kids stay away all summer

Asking Eric: Parent feels loss when college kids stay away all summer

Washington Post19 hours ago

Dear Eric: Summer months are upon us and most students will soon be heading home from college for their vacations, except mine. Every summer since starting college they have worked a summer job that required them to live on-site, a couple hours' drive away from home.
This year, because that seasonal position was eliminated, they have found a job in their college town (300 miles away) and will remain there all summer.

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