Navigating the transition when college students return home for summer break presents both joys and challenges for the entire family. Christina is bringing her son Alex, a freshman at CSU, home for the summer after his first year of college. This episode explores how to adjust expectations and build new relationships with your young adults who have grown during their time away.

• Students change significantly during their time at college in ways parents may not fully recognize
• The entire household develops new rhythms during a student's absence that will need readjustment
• Setting expectations about schedules, shared responsibilities, and boundaries helps smooth the transition
• Moving from controlling parenting to being a "consultant" or "guide" works best with college-aged children
• Giving returning students space rather than bombarding them with questions leads to richer conversations
• Finding the balance between joy of reunion and challenges of changing dynamics requires patience
• Treating young adults more like peers creates respect for their newfound independence

Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transitions, whether with a long career gap, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.
Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE.
Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

Graduation season brings a complex mix of emotions as we celebrate our children's achievements while also grieving the end of a significant chapter in our lives as mothers. This bittersweet transition marks not only our children's growth but also our own evolution from full-time caregivers to witnesses of their adult lives, prompting us to consider what comes next in our own journey.

• The celebration of graduation represents the culmination of years of hard work and personal growth
• Different transitions exist between high school and college graduations, each with unique emotional impacts
• Leaving the K-12 system after decades can feel like losing an anchor that structured family life
• The "emotional whiplash" of feeling joy and grief simultaneously is a normal part of this transition
• As our children graduate, whether from high school or college, we mothers also graduate into a new phase of life
• This transition period is an opportunity to reflect on what we want in our next chapter

If you're in a season of transition right now, especially as your kids grow up and the house starts feeling quieter, you're not alone. I'd love to invite you to a free coaching call with me—a chance to talk things through, get clarity, and feel more grounded about what's next for you. There's no pressure, no pitch, just one mom to another offering a safe space to figure this out together.

Grab a spot on my calendar using the link in the show notes or email me at Christina@HerNextChapters.com.

Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transitions, whether with a long career gap, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.
Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE.
Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

Have you ever wished for an easier way to check in on your loved ones' mental health without awkwardness or fear? Today's powerful episode introduces a life-saving communication shorthand that could transform how your family discusses emotional wellbeing.

Born from personal experience, this simple numbered scale system creates a gateway to discuss even the heaviest topics, including suicide ideation. We unpack both the "mood check" (assessing general emotional state) and the more targeted "safety check" (gauging suicide risk) that allow families to regularly connect without overwhelming conversations.

The episode walks through specific scenarios of how to interpret responses, what follow-up questions to ask, and when to seek professional help. We debunk common myths—like the fear that bringing up suicide might "plant the idea"—while providing practical guidance on compassionate responses when someone indicates they're struggling. You'll learn how to implement this system in your own household, creating a foundation of trust and open communication before it's desperately needed.

Mental health conversations shouldn't be taboo, especially within our families. As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, I invite you to take ten minutes to establish your own version of these check-in scales with your loved ones. Program 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) into your phone now, because preparedness is paramount when supporting someone through crisis. Remember that silence doesn't protect our children—connection does. Let's build that connection together, one conversation at a time.

Mental Health First Aid
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transitions, whether with a long career gap, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.
Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE.
Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina