One of the best parts of my job is the people I meet while traveling the country to speak. I was recently speaking in Georgia where I had the pleasure of meeting today’s #RealLifeWonderWoman. Simply stated, Erlange Elisme has a heart for children. This past September marked her 30th anniversary in education. That’s a lot of years of serving and advocating
3 Documents You Must Discuss With Your College Student
College is NOT high school. There, I said it. This is one very important nugget of wisdom for parents and students to understand as they prepare for life after high school. You see, in college roles change. Responsibilities change. And expectations change. For both students AND parents. Parenting a college student is different than parenting a high school student. It
Boxes, totes and biceps, oh my!
If you’ve noticed my bulging biceps of of 2021, it is not because I’ve been lifting weights at the gym. It is because I’m getting pretty good at lifting boxes. Lots of boxes. In the past year, we moved both Marty’s mom and our daughter Brooke to new homes. And next week, we move our daughter Karen. If you’ve moved
#RealLifeWonderWoman — Meet Jenna Gibson
All of the real-life Wonder Women we feature are amazing and inspiring, each special in her own way. But today’s #RLWW is extra special to me, as I’ve known her since she was born. I actually attended HER baby shower! Through the years, I’ve watched her grow into a remarkable adult. She may be all grown up, but she hasn’t
5 things parents can do to ace college move-in day!
1 Be smart about packing. Look at your child’s housing packet to learn about the university’s fire codes. They may prohibit hot pots, coffee makers* with exposed heating elements, and toasters. Some may also restrict string lights and extension cords. Why bring stuff that is prohibited only to have to haul it home? *Many DO allow Keurig-type coffee makers, which do
Emotional about launching your college student? You are not alone!
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
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
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
#RealLifeWonderWoman — Meet Michelle Schmitz
Simply put, today’s #RealLifeWonderWoman helps people find success. Michelle Schmitz is the Executive Director of the St. Cloud State University Career Center, and is energized by her work. ” To have the opportunity to work in an environment where learning and growing is encouraged and inspired is something that fulfills me more than I ever realized…I am a natural connector so when