Your phone buzzes. You’re thrilled when you see it’s a text from your child—the one you dropped off at college four weeks ago. But, when you open the message, your heart sinks. I hate it here. I have no friends. I want to come home. The collegiate honeymoon is over. Your child is homesick. And this text seems to come
Leaning Into The Curves
This is not how it’s supposed to be, I thought as my husband and I packed up our daughter’s belongings from her dorm room. I choked back tears as I boxed up her barely used Keurig and like-new text books, her fluffy white comforter and coordinating desk lamp. These same items—so full of promise and possibility when we helped her
A year to remember!
I cannot believe it has been a whole year since we launched Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. I’m overwhelmed by your positive feedback and cannot thank you enough for taking the time to share your stories with me. I’m so grateful for your support and
The Launch
A gentle reminder for parents who are struggling to let go…
Welcome to PARENT UNIVERSITY!
What to Expect: A Course Catalog for Parents After the little plus sign appeared on the stick oh-so-many years ago, the first thing I did was to go out and buy a pregnancy book. The second was to sign up for childbirth classes. I wanted to know what to expect. As our family grew, so did our quest for parenting
The Best Laid Plans: Grad Party Advice
Anyone who knows me knows I love to throw a party! I get excited over details and food and games and decorations. Pass the crepe paper streamers, please. My theory is that a good party can turn into a great party if you start with a fun theme. Piñata, anyone? You can imagine how thrilled I was when our youngest
Bringing home the GOLD!
When I clicked open my email, one subject line immediately caught my eye. It said YOU ARE A FINALIST! Those four words meant I was heading to St. Paul for the 27th Annual Midwest Book awards. I’d be joining other hard-working, passionate, word-loving authors to celebrate independent book publishing and vie for some bling. The celebration was last weekend and I’m thrilled to tell
You’ve ordered the cap and gown. Parents, are you ready for what comes next?
Does the melody of “Pomp and Circumstance” cause a small lump in your throat? Does the thought of your child wearing a cap and gown bring tremendous pride AND an undercurrent of fear? If you’re both excited and scared about your student’s upcoming high school commencement (and pending adulthood), you’re not alone. The transition from high school to college stirs
Clever Care Package Idea: send your student a day at the beach
Is your student feeling the mid-winter blues? Then it’s time to send some love in a shoe box. Yes, you can send sunshine ! It’s called a care package. Your student will be thrilled to receive one and you don’t have to spend a fortune. Not sure how to get started? Don’t worry! Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to
The Interns Take Over
My February calendar is filling up with exciting events. I’ve got speaking engagements and author signings scheduled, along with a much-anticipated get away with my husband. At our intern meeting last week, I was lamenting about how I was going to stay on top of my to-do list, and yet actually unplug and relax on my vacation. They, of course,