Ever looked around and felt like your child's launch doesn't fit the "typical" path? What if their dream doesn't involve a dorm or a degree? Today, we're redefining what a successful launch truly looks like.

Many of you have asked me: What happens when your child's launch doesn't follow the straight-to-college path? We often hear about the "one-dimensional path": high school, college, job, independence. But the truth is, launch is rarely a straight line, and it definitely doesn't always include a degree. As parents, it's vital that we stop measuring our worth, or our children's, by whether they took this "expected" path. Today, I’ll share how to support your child without judgment, how to set expectations if they return home, and, most importantly, how to celebrate their unique successes, big or small. This episode is all about letting go of your plan and allowing them to create their own dream.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Challenging the "traditional" launch narrative

👉 Celebrating success beyond a college degree

👉 Supporting your child without judgment

👉 Setting clear expectations for boomerang kids

👉 Watching for progress, not perfection

👉 Celebrating your child's "little wins"

===================

Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

The countdown to college drop-off has begun, and with it, all the questions: "Did I do enough? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" Today, we're giving you a game plan for their first year away!

Joining me today is my incredible friend and empowerment coach, Sunni Markowitz, to tackle the big anxieties parents face when their kids head off to college. We discuss setting realistic expectations for freshman year, emphasizing that true success involves building community, managing work-life balance, and learning from "healthy mistakes". Sunni shares invaluable advice on shifting from managing to mentoring our young adults and encouraging them to find their own solutions. We also discuss how to navigate homesickness with empathy and practical tools like journaling. A key takeaway is the importance of having open conversations before drop-off about communication boundaries, handling money, and accessing on-campus resources. This episode is all about letting go with courage and trust, understanding that college is a journey of growth for both our kids and us, and remembering that leaning in doesn't mean disappearing.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 Defining freshman year success realistically

👉 Shifting from parent to mentor

👉 Encouraging community building and connection

👉 Navigating homesickness with practical tools

👉 Teaching financial responsibility and boundaries

👉 Healthy vs. hurtful parental support

===================

Discover more about Sunni and what she offers at Brighter U Coaching.

Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com

Just when you were getting used to the quiet house and your newfound freedom, they're back! Are you ready for the beautiful, messy, and totally unexpected reality of having your college kids home for the summer?

If you’re like me, these next months, you’re diving into a major plot twist in your empty nester journey, the summer return of our college kids. I know that feeling of pure excitement, stocking the fridge with all their favorites and counting down the minutes until they walk through the door.

But then, reality sets in, right? For us, it started with curfews and quickly became clear that the kids we dropped off last fall weren't the same ones who came back. They’ve tasted independence, and we've gotten used to our quiet evenings and clean kitchens. Suddenly, we’re navigating messy bathrooms, endless laundry, and conversations that sound a lot like, "I'm 18, I can do what I want!". It’s a huge adjustment for everyone, and if we’re not careful, it can lead to some really tough moments and hurt feelings.

In this episode, I discuss my family’s struggles and the lessons I've learned from my kids and their friends. It’s not just about rules; it’s about shifting identities for everyone. We must honor the new people our kids are becoming while respecting our new lives. Needing your space isn’t selfish… It's just reality.

In this episode, we cover:

👉 The "honeymoon phase" of kids returning home

👉 Navigating the inevitable clash over rules and freedom

👉 Understanding your college kid's perspective on returning

👉 The pros and cons kids experience at home

👉 Shifting identities for both parents and kids

👉 Adjusting to a new, shared-space reality

===================

Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.

Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.

Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email navigatingthelaunch@gmail.com