A new study shows parents of children who have recently started university receive 528 text messages a year from their grown-up children. Progeny prod their mum and dad about everything from money worries (71%), cooking questions (63%), work concerns (60%) and DIY disasters (38%)

But according to eight in ten (80%) of the parents surveyed, despite the demanding nature of the requests from their offspring, they secretly love getting the the messages.

According to the poll, modern teens reckon they’re the experts on how to communicate with home, a view most parents share, with 84% agreeing their child has taught them better ways to keep in touch, from quick-fire texts and memes to voice notes sent between lectures.

Commissioned by Costa Coffee, the research highlights that while leaving home is a major step towards independence, students still lean on parents for reassurance, practical help and answers to life’s everyday dilemmas.

Broadcaster and mum Myleene Klass, whose eldest daughter, Ava, started university last year, has partnered with Costa Coffee to encourage families to embrace these everyday moments of connection.

In a special in-store Q&A, Myleene will be interviewed by her daughter about how their communication changed when uni began – what worked, what didn’t, and the small messages that kept them close.

Together, they’ll discuss how families can navigate the transition to university life and maintain meaningful connections during this new chapter.

Myleene said: “Watching Ava head off to university was one of the proudest moments I’ve experienced as a parent. But until you go through it yourself, you don’t realise how many emotions come with it.

“Our relationship has taken a new direction as she leads the way on how we stay in touch now, and with that, we’ve built lovely new rituals from voice notes, reels and pictures to a proper sit-down catch-up at Costa whenever she’s home.”

Top of the message list was “can you send me £20?” (41%), followed by “how do I know if chicken is cooked?” (40%) and “how do I read the electricity meter?” (28%), along with “where is the stop cock?” (26%), “can I come home this weekend?” (25%), “where is the water meter?” (25%) and “what do I wear to a job interview?” (24%).

Dr Ritika Suk Birah, Consultant Counselling Psychologist, said: “It doesn’t surprise me that so many parents secretly love receiving these messages. Parenting changes as children become adults, but the instinct to support and guide them doesn’t suddenly switch off.

“Being asked for advice, even about something as simple as a CV or an electricity meter, can be a lovely reminder that you still have an important place in your child’s life.

“I love that so many parents say their children have taught them new ways to communicate. A meme, a voice note or a quick photo might not look like a traditional heart-to-heart, but these tiny touchpoints can create a real sense of closeness.

“Connection doesn’t always have to come through a long conversation. Sometimes it is simply knowing someone thought of you in the middle of their day.”

To hear more from Myleene, Ava and Dr Ritz, and join the conversation about staying connected through life’s next chapter, parents can register for free tickets to the New Grounds event via the Costa Coffee app.

New Grounds is Costa Coffee’s campaign celebrating real-life progress and the small moments that help people navigate life’s big transitions.

Myleene added that she was “thrilled” to be partnering with Costa on New Grounds, adding: “It’s a real celebration of this new adventure for families, and I can’t wait to chat it all through with Ava and Dr Ritz at our event.”

The Costa study found ‘SOS’ texts parents regularly receive from their adult children include “can I get a taxi/Uber on your account?” (21%), “can you look at my CV?” (19%), “is food always this expensive?” (17%) and “what questions do I ask in a job interview?” (17%).

One in six (18%) have asked for advice on how to deal with messy flatmates, while 16% want to know their National Insurance number and how long to boil an egg (15%).

Children also send their parents TikToks or Instagram stories/reels 40 times a month and phone them 35 times a month.

Half (49%) say that being able to chat via text or WhatsApp has helped them worry less about their child, with one in four (26%) admitting that even though the way they communicate has changed, their relationship hasn’t.

And when they do meet in person, 44% of mums and dads say nothing beats it, with 87% believing that catching up for a quick coffee or pint with their adult child is enough to reconnect with them. As Costa Coffee has been a meeting place for families long before students leave for university, it remains a familiar constant at the heart of the new rituals they form.

A Costa Coffee spokesperson added: “while parents may receive more texts from their children when they’re away at university, the messages are about much more than burnt dinners and missing house keys. Whether it’s asking for advice, sharing a win or simply checking in, those small conversations – and the simple ritual of meeting over a coffee – help families stay close during one of life’s biggest transitions.

“Through New Grounds, Costa is passing the mic to students and letting them set the framework for communication success, because there’s no perfect formula for staying connected and often the smallest messages mean the most.”

Can you send me £20 – 41%

How do I know if chicken is cooked? – 40%

How do I read the electricity meter? – 28%

Can you send me £100? – 26%

Where is the stop cock? – 26%

Can I come home this weekend? – 25%

Where’s the water meter in my house? – 25%

What do I wear to a job interview? – 24%

Can I get a taxi/Uber on your account? – 21%

What kind of jobs should I apply for? – 21%

Can you post my things to me? – 21%

Can I eat chicken if it’s a bit pink? – 20%

Can you look at my CV? – 19%

How do I set up a direct debit? – 18%

How do I deal with messy flat/ hall mates? – 18%

Is food always this expensive? – 17%

What questions do I ask in a job interview? – 17%

Can I order food on your delivery account? – 16%

What’s my National Insurance number? – 16%

How long do I boil an egg? – 15%