Coping with College
May Mania
You guys. About this time every year I wonder why the hell May is my favorite month. It’s bonkers. I mean, all parents know it’s typically a hectic month, but holy hell it has kicked. my. ass. this year. Don’t worry, I’m still basking in my Rob Glowe, but I’m also still sprinting to outrun the…
Read MoreDear daughter who is going to Australia…
In a few days my 21-year-old daughter will board an airplane (by herself) and travel halfway around the world (by herself) to spend four and a half months studying abroad in Brisbane, Australia (not by herself but with people with much cooler accents … and koalas, which are my very favorite animal). And for the…
Read MoreA letter to my daughters on their first day of school
Dear daughters, Today you both start another year of school. For the third year in a row it will be in separate states, and for the 15th year in a row I’ll spend the day trying not to drink my feelings be overwhelmed with feelings that, if allowed, will engulf me. Feelings that surprisingly (or…
Read MoreKeeping the traditions—and the cookies—going
This is my favorite time of year. I hate this time of year. Why the Jekyll & Hyde attitude at this glorious-slash-heartbreaking time of year? Because college. Damn college. Wonderful college. Confusing-as-hell college. College that threatens to hijack the very traditions that have defined our holiday (and other parts of our family life) for the…
Read MoreFriday Favorites: Thanksgiving to-do list
Good grief. I think I need to apologize—again—to those of you who look forward to the Friday Favorites and have been left without purpose for the past month and forced to spend the entirety of your weekends moping around cursing me for my deliquency and your despondency. Sorry, mom. But seriously, you guys. Way back in oh-twelve when…
Read MoreSibling separation after college: How we coped
When Thing 1 left for college 13 months ago, the worst part actually wasn’t having to deal with my own tears and sadness, but having to listen to Thing 2’s. For the entire five-hour ride back home. It might not be surprising news to those of you who know them or those of you who’ve been…
Read MoreMy daughter won’t be a legacy, and that’s okay
The four years I spent at Arizona State University from 1987 to 1991 gave me memories and experiences that changed my life: I met a cute boy who, six years later, would become my husband; made friendships that have lasted 28 years; and discovered that mixing gin and tequila in the same night will lead…
Read MoreReal advice for those sending their first born to college
As most of you know, a year ago I was at the end of a year long battle with denial and was mere days away from reaching that big, red box on my calendar that I’d filled in with a skull and crossbone. My daughter was about to move almost 300 miles away to college. For…
Read MoreLetter(s) to my daughter
A year ago my daughter was about to leave the nest. The soft, feathered, built-painstakingly-by-hand nest I’d created for her since the moment I knew she existed. Fine, her father helped…but still. I knew I needed to tell her all the things before she left, but didn’t feel like I needed to write one of…
Read MoreCollege check in: One semester down
My daughter took her first college final yesterday. You know what that means? “She’s been existing on pop-tarts and anxiety for the past week?” you say. Well, sure, but besides that. It means her first semester of college is over. Justlikethat. For those of you who rode shotgun with me on the angst-ridden journey that…
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