"My son is doing great here, but he's worried about what it's going to be like to be back home." 

At this same presentation a mother shared:

"I am really worried about my daughter coming home.  She's not going to have the same freedoms that she has here at college and I don't want us to be at each other's throats."

The challenge for most students is -- How do I enter back into the family and maintain my sense of independence?  The lament that many parents express is -- My student came home, slept, and then went out with friends. I thought we would have more time together. 

This month's focus is Navigating the Holidays: When Your Student Comes Home.  It is a free recorded webinar available for the entire month of November. To attend either click here or:

1. Go to http://successfulcollegeparenting.webex.com

2. Choose Recorded Sessions on the left menu and select session 20111104 1857-3

I am delighted to be joined this month by Monica Matthews.  Monica is author of "How To Win College Scholarships", guides for both parents and students.  She is the Scholarship Expert at CollegeExpertPanel.com and is passionate about helping parents help their students find and win college scholarships.  There is money out there -- even for current college students!   Read and learn more 

All the best in your parenting, -Kay

Follow me on Twitter @KKimballGruder or http://twitter.com/KKimballGruder .   

Navigating the Holidays:  

When Your Student Comes Home  

This month's article, Navigating the Holidays: When Your College Student Comes Home, is a free recorded webinar available during the entire month of November.  Feel free to listen when you desire and share the webinar with other parents who might value some new tips and strategies to reduce family stress.

To access the webinar 

 click here 

Or...

1. Go to

  http://successfulcollegeparenting.webex.com

2. Choose Recorded Sessions on the left menu and select session 20111104 1857-3

November 9 - Parenting Your Student Through End-of-Semester Stress, co-presenting webinar for Carroll University's Office of Disability Services

Join the conversation and share your parenting perspectives

Recommended Reading From the Archive:

• Nov. 2010 article:         Problem Solving 101

• Nov. 2009 article:             Wanted: Crystal Ball

When your student arrives home for break and seems tired and a bit disconnected, it is likely because he or she really is tired and disconnected -- feeling awkward about being back in the midst of all things family.  Giving your student time and space to re-enter the family is an important approach.
In the early hours of your student's return, consider resisting the urge to ask a lot of particulars about your student's life at college -- but do check-in with your student about the following:

• What does he or she already have planned to do (or have in the works) while visiting home -- meeting up with friends, having friends over, etc.;

• Ask about what in particular your student might desire to do or to have happen during the time at home (a shopping excursion, a favorite meal, etc.);

• Ask "Are there any family rules or expectations you feel we need to discuss?" (Ideally you would iron-out expectations before your student arrives home -- so that this doesn't have to be a focal point during the visit);

• Ask "Is there anything that you would like me to do with you, while you're at home, that would be of particular help in some aspect of your life?"

With just a few questions - ones that acknowledge that your student is developing 

his or her independence - you can establish a better sense for how the days together 

might best unfold.  

Did You Know... College scholarship winning does not end when a student graduates from high school? 

 - Contributed by Monica Matthews -

They could not be more wrong!  

As a student progresses through his or her college experience, more scholarships are available depending on college major, level of community service, and grade point average.  Pick up any scholarship listing book and you will see scholarships offered by thousands of organizations and companies who ONLY allow students who are in college to apply.  Scholarships for college students are also found on the website of the college the student is attending, often times under the link, "Scholarships for Current Students."  What does this mean for college students and their parents?  Scholarship searching and applying does not end until the student has graduated from COLLEGE.  

Each year students can apply for scholarships and increase their own financial aid.  My son is a junior in college and has applied for scholarships each year, starting from his senior year in high school until now.  The result?  He has won over $100,000 in college scholarships!   The money is out there and parents can play an important role in helping their students find it.  College scholarships are an amazing way to help students get through college without incurring a huge amount of debt.  Who doesn't want free money?

To learn more visit with Monica Matthews, author of "How To Win College Scholarships", guides for both parents and students.  She is the Scholarship Expert at CollegeExpertPanel.com and is passionate about helping parents help their students find and win college scholarships.  Mrs. Matthews developed a unique method of applying for college scholarships that gives students the edge they need to win money for college.  You can learn more about this method at http://how2winscholarships.com.