I sat down in the auditorium for a parent orientation session–this time not as the keynote speaker or college parenting expert, but as a mom. A mom who was launching her youngest child. A mom who knows all-too-well the bittersweet feeling of letting go. Then SHE walked on the stage, her warm smile and bright eyes calming the nervous parents
#RealLifeWonderWoman – Meet Mariellen Jacobs
In January, 2015, Mariellen Jacobs was in a place no mother wants to be…at her child’s bedside as he’s fighting for life. Her son Clark, a second-year mechanical engineering student, had been asleep in his fraternity house when he fell from his loft bed to the floor. He crawled back up into his bed and went back to sleep. But
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,
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
The Life-Changing Magic of Studying Abroad
Do you have questions about study abroad programs? Not sure if a global experience is right for your child? Read on and learn first hand the impact a study abroad experience had on this college student. I must tell you she’s no ordinary guest blogger. She’s actually my daughter. And she has a lot to say about the value of