Big Kid
Dear Teacher: My Disabled Child Is Not Lazy
Having an invisible disability is hard; having an invisible disability as a high school student and being scoffed at by a teacher is worse. Don’t be that teacher.
Education
Busting College Application Myths
In the fall-of-senior-year panic of “must”s and “should”s, I think applying to college ends up being a lot scarier than it needs to be. Relax. You can do this!
Big Kid
Senior Year Retail Therapy
Am I crazy for shopping for my kid’s college dorm room nearly a year ahead of time? Crazy like a fox, maybe. I have my reasons.
Big Kid
Senior Year of High School: The Flip Side Of Struggle
Will I be sad during my oldest’s high school senior year? No way — the gift her struggles gave us turns out to be an abundant appreciation of forward movement.
Big Kid
May I Have This (Senior Year) Dance?
With just one (short) year left before college, I have to figure out how to give my oldest enough room to get ready to launch. We’re getting there.
Big Kid
Taking The Power Struggle Out Of Homework Struggles
Power struggles with your teen may feel inevitable, but when you add homework issues to the mix, is there any hope for peace and productivity? I say yes.
Big Kid
Loosening The Reins Before College
We have just one short year left before my oldest heads off to college. That means it’s time to start pulling back on some rules and letting her figure it out.
Party & Play
Celebrating the College-Bound Graduate!
Celebrate your college-bound graduate with our high school graduation party ideas for decor, food, and making memories.
Big Kid
Laundry Cheat Sheet for Your College-Bound Graduate
Do you know a graduate that will need this when s/he leaves for college soon? Just download a copy of my Laundry Cheat Sheet and print to share with him or her.
Big Kid
Helping Your Student Manage Year-End School Stress
As we near the end of my autistic son’s first full-time year back in public school, the stress is wearing him down, but really, he’s doing great.
Big Kid
Lesson Learned: All Apologies
One of my teens learned a hard lesson about not always getting the apology you deserve, and I realized I have a long way to go in this area, too.
Big Kid
When Smart Isn’t So Smart
Is being gifted all it’s cracked up to be? In some cases, it can be more of a hindrance to success than you might think.
Big Kid
College Planning: Mid-Junior-Year Check-In
Time marches on, and now that my kid is halfway through her junior year, college planning is beginning in earnest. There’s so much to think about!
Big Kid
Pride And Prejudice And Siblings
Sure, we know to avoid comparing siblings to one another, but in trying to bolster and protect my kids this way, I very nearly screwed up even more.
Big Kid
Marching Band Redux: Finding A Good One
A good marching band can be a fabulous high school experience for your child, but how do you know if a program is a good one? Here’s some things to consider.
Big Kid
Sidestep Homework Battles
Homework doesn’t have to be a battleground in your home; keep in mind a few simple rules for a practical approach and peace can indeed coincide with homework!
Education
Declare Your Future Career… At Age 14?
Have you heard about Texas Bill 5? It’s a somewhat controversial educational plan that will require kids as young as 14 to declare their future careers. Yep, 14.
Big Kid
The March Begins: College Planning, Ahoy!
Got a high school junior? It’s time to start planning for college! Here is some advice for finding the balance between being smart and not freaking out.
Big Kid
A Tale Of Two Posters
With my teens sharing a class for the first time, the inevitable comparisons are making me wonder how I can coax the best out of each of them.
Big Kid
When My Kids Grow Up, I Want Them To Be Flexible
Today’s kids are being pushed to pick out their career paths way too young, I think, and I’d rather we teach them to keep an open mind and adventuresome spirit.