Category Archives: parenting

campus security, in the news, parenting, Uncategorized

When College Feels Less Safe: What Parents Are Worried About After the Charlie Kirk Tragedy

charlie kirk

On September 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot at a public event on the campus of Utah Valley University. The suspect reportedly fired from a rooftop, striking him in the neck during an outdoor speech attended by thousands.

For many parents, this event has stirred deep fears about what safety means in higher education today. Below are some of the main concerns parents are grappling with — and what they might do in response.

Continue reading When College Feels Less Safe: What Parents Are Worried About After the Charlie Kirk Tragedy →
back to school, college planning, parenting, Uncategorized

Back-to-School Tips for Parents of High School Students

1 Comment
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS

The new school year is here, and high school students face the challenge of balancing academics, extracurriculars, and social life. As a parent, your support can make a huge difference. These practical back-to-school tips can help your teen thrive this year.

1. Set a Consistent Routine

A predictable daily schedule keeps teens on track. Encourage regular sleep, meal, and study times, along with planned breaks. A consistent routine reduces stress and improves focus.

2. Create an Organized Study Space

A quiet, clutter-free study area helps your teen concentrate. Make sure they have good lighting, necessary supplies, and minimal distractions. Personalize the space to suit their learning style.

Continue reading Back-to-School Tips for Parents of High School Students →
college guidance, dorm life, empty nest, parenting

A Parent’s Guide to Starting College

starting college

Watching your child leave for college brings a mix of pride and worry, which is completely natural as a parent. 

It is a significant shift for everyone involved, from you as parents, your child who is leaving, and any other children you have at home. 

Daily routines change. Conversations become less frequent. You want to support your child but also help them become independent. 

Think of it like teaching your child to drive. At some point, they steer on their own. With precise planning and communication, this transition can be easier for both of you.

Below is a parent’s guide to starting college:

Continue reading A Parent’s Guide to Starting College →
admissions, parenting, social networks

Social Media and College Admissions: What Parents Should Be Aware Of

5 Comments
social media and college admissions

When it comes to college prep, parents usually focus on grades, test scores, and application deadlines. But there’s another area that’s becoming increasingly relevant and sometimes overlooked: your teen’s social media presence. College admissions officers aren’t just reading essays and transcripts. In some cases, they’re Googling applicants and checking out what’s publicly available online.

So, what should parents know about the role of social media and college admissions, and how can you help your teen put their best digital foot forward?

Continue reading Social Media and College Admissions: What Parents Should Be Aware Of →
college planning, college prep, college visits, essays, parenting, scholarships

Fight Summer Boredom With These Smart Tips

fight summer boredom

Summer break is here! While it’s a much-needed breather from the stress of the school year, it can also lead to a tremendous amount of downtime. If you’re the parent of a high school student, especially one heading into junior or senior year, you’ve probably heard the “I’m bored” chorus more than once already.

The good news? Summer offers a golden opportunity to help your teen make meaningful progress on their college journey without feeling like it’s all work and no fun. Here are some smart, low-stress ways to help your teen fight summer boredom while also easing their transition into college planning.

Continue reading Fight Summer Boredom With These Smart Tips →
Gift ideas, parenting, surviving college

My Daughter’s T-Shirt Quilt: A Life Journey Stitched in Fabric

2 Comments
t-shirt quilt

It’s been a few years since my daughter graduated from college. Like many students, she collected dozens of t-shirts: from campus clubs, fundraisers, sorority events, memorable trips, concerts, and shirts that described who she is. Each one held a memory, but they were all gathering dust in a closet. They had some wear and tear but she couldn’t bear to part with them—too many memories.

That’s when I discovered Project Repat. They take well-loved t-shirts and transform them into a custom t-shirt quilt—practical, personal, and absolutely full of heart.

Continue reading My Daughter’s T-Shirt Quilt: A Life Journey Stitched in Fabric →
college guidance, MamaBear, parenting

Legal Documents Every Parent Should Prepare Before College

legal documents from mamabear

When your child turns 18 and heads off to college, it marks a big milestone—for both of you. They’re gaining independence, starting a new chapter, and legally becoming an adult. But here’s something many parents don’t realize until it’s too late: once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic access to their medical, financial, or academic information—even in emergencies.

To stay informed and be able to step in if needed, it’s smart to have a few important legal documents in place before move-in day. Here are legal documents every family should consider when sending a young adult off to college.

Continue reading Legal Documents Every Parent Should Prepare Before College →
academics, guidance counselors, high school, parenting

Starting High School: A Parent’s Guide to Freshman Year

2 Comments
starting high school freshman year

Next year, my grandson will be entering his freshman year of high school. I can’t believe it’s even possible and his parents feel the same way. It wasn’t too long ago he walked into preschool with his Lightning McQueen lunchbox and backpack!

If you have a child starting freshman year in high school, it’s a milestone that can feel equally exciting and nerve-wracking, for both of you. Suddenly, everything gets a little more real: grades matter more, friendships shift, and conversations about college and careers begin to surface.

As a parent, you might be wondering: How can I best support them without overwhelming them? What changes should I expect? And how do I balance staying involved with giving them space to grow?

This guide will walk you through what to expect during that critical first year and how to set your teen up for success—socially, academically, and emotionally.

Continue reading Starting High School: A Parent’s Guide to Freshman Year →
college prep, parenting, Wednesdays parent

How to Talk to Your Teen About College Without the Eye Rolls

teen

Let’s be honest: bringing up college with your teen can feel like walking through a minefield. One wrong step—too pushy, too soon, too often—and you’re met with a dramatic sigh, a sarcastic “I know,” or the dreaded eye roll.

But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can talk to your teen about college in a way that invites conversation instead of shutting it down. And May is the perfect time to start. Summer’s around the corner, the school year is winding down, and your soon-to-be senior is just a few months away from application season.

Here are five strategies to help you have productive (and eye-roll-free) college conversations:

Continue reading How to Talk to Your Teen About College Without the Eye Rolls →
college guidance, high school, independence, parenting

Parenting Teens: From Helicopter to Co-Pilot

parenting

As your teen enters high school or begins planning for life after graduation, your parenting role needs to evolve. You’re no longer in the driver’s seat—but you’re not out of the car either. Welcome to the co-pilot phase.

In this stage, your support is still crucial, but it looks different. You’re no longer managing every detail of their life. Instead, you’re coaching, encouraging, and stepping back—just enough for them to take the lead.

Let’s talk about what this shift looks like and why it matters.

Continue reading Parenting Teens: From Helicopter to Co-Pilot →