Family Time

We did it! We managed to have in-person family time with our two adult children. Those of you with empty nests and adult kids know this is no small task. We raise them to be independent adults—to fly the nest and function in the real world. And then they do. They get jobs and friends and partners and lives independent

#RealLifeWonderWoman — Meet Kathi Osmonson

From ski bum to professional wrestling photographer to fire service, this real-life Wonder Woman has a zest for life! She loves to to experience new places, new cultures and meet new people. By day, she’s the Minnesota Deputy State Fire Marshal, Fire and Life Safety Educator for Youth Fire Prevention and Intervention (YFPI). But in her free time, you might find

Travel Tips to Beat Jet Lag

As a speaker, I get to travel quite a bit. I love the freedom of hopping on a plane and landing in a new city. I enjoy immersing in the culture of a place. But it’s not as sexy as it sounds. Air travel can be tough on a body. It’s not always easy to adjust to a new time

#RealLifeWonderWoman—Meet Brooke Radi

This week’s #RealLifeWonderWoman interview is an extra special one to me because the subject is our daughter, Brooke. She’s our firstborn. Sensitive, brave, inquisitive, and currently living as an expat in Prague, Czech Republic.  I’m in Prague with her this week to celebrate her twenty-third birthday and to help her get settled into a new apartment. It is incredible for

Spring Break Safety Tips

Nervous about your student going on a spring break trip? You are not alone. College students may be ready for some fun and relaxation, but parents worry about the “What ifs?” and the choices students will make during break.  Here are some tips to share with your student before they go: Be mindful about what you share on social media

#Real Life Wonder Woman — Meet Amalia Moreno-Damgaard

Today’s real-life Wonder Woman is a nine-time award-winning author and chef-entrepreneur. Amalia Moreno-Damgaard is the founder of Amalia, LLC, a nationally certified woman-owned business that helps corporations develop a broader understanding and appreciation of Latin cultural nuances through consulting, bilingual speaking and writing, and healthy gourmet culinary experiences.  She is also the founder and president of Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota, a

#RealLifeWonderWoman–Meet Shannan Younger

I met today’s #RealLifeWonderWoman through professional channels. She’s a talented writer and the founder of the website betweenusparents.com. Shannan believes parenting, and life in general, is better when you have a sense of humor, a dose of perspective, and some good hard facts. This Midwestern mom and recent Jeopardy contestant is active in both politics and parenting. I recently caught up

Packing for college–what you need to know for smooth sailing on move-in day

Moving into the dorm room is one of your child’s first fleeting steps into collegiate life. What can you, as a parent, do to help make this transition a smooth one? Follow the 3 BEs! Here are some tried and true tips for smooth sailing on move-in day taken from Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman

#RealLifeWonderWoman–Meet Mary Bruno

Today’s #RealLifeWonderWoman is a badass. She’s authentic, funny, raw, hard-working and caring. This former preschool teacher is a renown letterpress expert, college instructor, breast cancer survivor and entrepreneur. Oh, and did I mention she’s a brilliant artist? Please join me and get to know the one, the only, Mary Bruno, owner of Bruno Press in St. Joseph, Minnesota. KR:  Hi

I’m her mother, not her friend

I just returned from the trip of a lifetime. It wasn’t because I went to some exotic tropical destination or to a ridiculously expensive resort hotel, but because I had the privilege of spending five days alone with our daughter Brooke to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime event, her graduation from college.  She and I (just the two of us!) flew to