When did it happen? When did our kids grow up? I went from college and my first “real” job to marriage and then babies, who grew from toddlers to teens in a nanosecond. A household where diapers, lullabies, and training wheels turned into thongs, indie rock, and driver’s ed. Who knew I’d long for the days of chicken nuggets with
Cha-Ching! Discussing Money With Your College Student
Parents, if you’re like me, you realize that many things about college have changed since your coed days. College is big business. It’s not like the old days. Back then, if you had a pulse and a checkbook, you were accepted. Today, college is much more competitive. And expensive. That’s true for tuition and room and board, but it’s also
#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
Great Grad Gifts 3.0
Got a grad? Trying to find a gift they will use AND appreciate? Here are great gift ideas for the high school or college graduate. Ink + Volt Planner Your student (or recent college grad) will stay organized, goal-oriented and super-productive with this planner from Ink + Volt. These high quality, well-appointed planners contain calendars, weekly time-blocking pages, journaling prompts
#RealLifeWonderWoman — Meet Lauren Steinke
When she was six, Lauren’s dad signed her up for her first triathlon–and she fell in love with the sport. Father and daughter, they would train together. It was their thing. When she was fifteen, her dad passed away unexpectedly. Her world was turned upside down, but she continued to train and compete, carrying on the legacy (and the love
Sexual Assault: When Sex Is Not a Choice
Because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, here’s an excerpt from Out to Sea: A Parent’s Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage on how to help a student who has encountered a sexual assault. Sexual Assault: When Sex Is Not a Choice Not all sex on campus is consensual sex. Sexual assault is the broad term to describe a wide
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
Are you in the iPhone zone?
“I gotta potty.” “Mommy, I gotta potty,” said the adorable tot in the Minnesota Twins t-shirt looking up expectantly. But mom was clearly lost in the iPhone zone. She was too busy texting to hear her little girl and didn’t see her start to dance around on the grass. “Potty, potty, potty,” she prattled on. Still no reaction from her
The Bath Bomb
Rubber duckie. Check. Bubbles. Check. Little Mermaid wash cloth. Check. Pink Disney teapot and tiny teacups. Check and check. There we were, mother and daughter, splashing together in the bathtub. She was barely two and I was, well, old enough to be her mother. As she carefully measured and poured and chattered on about princesses and puppies and preschool, I
#RealLifeWonderWoman — Meet Hannah Lucas
I first learned about today’s #RealLifeWonderWoman when I saw an article written about how she and her brother created an app to help kids in crisis. The notOK app is essentially a panic button that sends a text to trusted contacts when a user needs support. But it was the story behind the story that made me want to meet