How to Prepare for Your Kid to Leave Your Nest

Our firstborn, only daughter just left for college a few states away. Yes, tears were shed by all of us!

People who have not yet hit this stage of parenting have recently been asking me, “Hey, can you coach me through that when I get there?!”

Best piece of wisdom to pass on to you now in prep for the day your kids leave – be proactively intentional in how you connect w/ each child. Craft a clear and vivid vision of what you want your relationship w each kid to feel, look, and BE like when each is in that senior year.

When you live that way, it makes the months around that 18th birthday sweet and filled w/ a gift you (at least I!) didn’t expect… Suddenly you realize that the vision you crafted way back when, the same one that you revisited each year, and the strategic planning as a parent that you did and implemented across the many seasons of life w/ that kid – you see that vision becoming a reality. There aren’t regrets of “Oh I wish I had (done whatever)” … But rather there are sweet memories of special times you invested into knowing and nurturing and speaking life into your kid.

You are at a great place w/ your kids – whatever ages they are. It’s never too late to live intentionally inside of these relationships. Planning in this way gives you an eternal perspective that most folks don’t have. You begin to know how to impart yourself into your kids and leave a lasting, godly imprint upon their hearts.

Live today like your kid is leaving tomorrow. How will you invest into who your child is becoming as a person? This adds a layer of fun to the parenting journey!

AAA Relationship Roadside Service

 

One scorching, summer afternoon I picked my 11-year-old son up from a weeklong basketball camp. After a few hours sweating in a stifling hot gym watching boys race up and down the court, we were both glad to be in the air-conditioned car heading home. Shortly after we got on the interstate, the car began making some irrational noises that even an un-mechanical mom recognized as foreboding. After revving the engine to keep us moving along, the SUV revolted and shuddered; I unwillingly pulled to the side of the freeway near some dry weeds. Then I pulled out my American Automobile Association card (while strangely thrilled that I could finally claim that the annual fee was indeed worth it all!), and dialed them. The rest of the story is just as all of the AAA literature and brochures promised, except for the drops of sweat that burst out of our bodies while we waited for their arrival in the 100’ heat!

Why do we buy AAA road-assistance memberships?

1) We want great hope that our experiences driving will be pleasant and as hassle-free as possible.

2) We want confidence that if and when we encounter problems while on the road, we have a plan to begin to get us to our desired destination.

Relationships are very similar to those everyday journeys on the roads. We have desired destinations in almost all relationships in life. Just where do we want to see the results of our interactions and relationships with each person end up?

Here are the AAA relationship-assistance help (no membership or fee required!) that can improve the odds that your daily relationship experiences will be pleasant and as hassle-free as possible.

• Acknowledgement
• Appreciation
• Affirmation 

Finding A Dream Job

Dream Job: the combo of work that energizes, enthuses, and captivates us as our natural talents are tapped into AND meets our financial goals

A few recent conversations I’ve had with both men and women (those in their 20’s and in their 40’s) have centered on their quests to discover and land this type of work. It’s discovering a job that balances the concepts, “Work’s not work if you love what you do,” and “Work is work, but work pays the bills.”

I know we’d love to believe the catch-phrase, “Do what you love and the money will follow” as gospel. But let’s face the fact that not every thing we love to do will eventually bring in loads of dough!

It’s pretty common for us to seek the dream job that incorporates our gifts. Often, we have so many talents, such varied experiences, and valuable education, and diverse interests that it is challenging to narrow the scope in our hunt for the best job fit. “Just how do you go about it?” Is a question I am often asked by college students in undergrad and grad programs, as well as by professionals engaged in their careers but who question if there’s a better, more desirable job fit for them out there.

My response includes a series of questions: