Big Announcement Today!

I’m so excited, I can hardly stand it! Today is THE DAY that I get to tell you about a spectacular partnership and show you what can happen when two crazy entrepreneurial gals put their heads together.  For a couple of years, I’ve been dreaming about providing you some tangible products to help parents and students stay connected through the

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

10 Must-Haves for the Dorm

If you’ve got a student heading off to college this fall, then you are probably elbows deep in lists and worries. But one thing you don’t need to stress about is what to pack for the dorm. I’ve got you! There’s a complete checklist of what to pack (and NOT pack) in my book Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival

Wear Sensible Shoes and Other Observations of College Graduation Day

Our oldest child graduated from college over the weekend. I wasn’t sure what to expect, which may sound silly since I’m a college graduate myself. I graduated several decades ago from a mid-sized public university in the era of Aqua Net and patent leather pumps. I remember the fashion, but honestly, I can barely remember the ceremony. It’s likely sandwiched

Great Grad Gift Idea

Looking for a fun and inspirational grad gift?  Look no further than Dr. Seuss! His books may be disguised as children’s books, but underneath the quirky rhymes, bold colors and whimsical stories, they are filled with valuable life lessons. Dr. Seuss has a lot to teach us about life and character qualities that matter. He addresses things like integrity, self-care,

#RealLifeWonderWoman–Meet Melissa Sturm-Smith

Wonder Woman inspires me with her grit and determination. She fights for truth and justice and possess super-human strength. Yet, she has the heart of a woman. We encounter passionate, fascinating women every day. These women may not chase down bad guys in shiny red boots and may not wear tiaras to work, but they get stuff done. They are employees, wives,

10 Things to Teach Teens Before They Move Out

If you’re a parent of a recent high school graduate, there’s a good chance your child may be moving out in the upcoming months.  Wait! What? This is the same kid who is incapable of getting dirty socks into the hamper.  How will he keep up with his own laundry?  She has no idea how to read a map or

What to Expect When Your Student Studies Abroad

I’ve had so many of you reach out to me wanting more information about studying abroad after reading the last guest post by our daughter Brooke. So I asked (okay, I begged) her to share a little more information with you–the parents–in mind. Here she is again with a student’s perspective on the study abroad experience. What to Expect When Your