The Laudable Life
Returning to College During COVID-19
Q: I’m supposed to return to college at the end of August. Florida is a hotspot and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. My parents are nervous about me going back. I’ve heard them arguing about it a couple of times. I have mixed feelings too. I miss my friends. I’m bored beyond belief…
Two Self-Care Techniques for Dealing with the Trauma of COVID-19
Q: I think I’m depressed. I’m not sure if it’s the coronavirus epidemic itself or cabin fever with the stay at home orders, frustration with MoCo online school, or fears about the future of our economy, but I am definitely not in a good place. I have more time than ever to finally clean out…
Coronavirus School Closures are Wrecking My Senior Year
Originally published in our Laudable Life advice column in the Lakelands Leader Q: I’ve got kids in both high school and in college. The coronavirus disruption to school has affected all of them. My oldest is a senior in college. It looks like he may not be coming back the school year. I’m heartbroken for…
How to Bring the Romance Back to Your Valentine’s Day
Originally published in our Laudable Life advice column in the Lakelands Leader Every year we receive several questions about Valentine’s Day. Many of them boil down to: “How can we bring back the zest to this holiday?” Here are three simple tips for making this Valentines Day a special one, no mater what you’re doing…
Are Video Games Addictive?
Originally published in our Laudable Life advice column in the Lakelands Leader Q: My 15-year-old son loves playing video games. It feels like that’s all he ever wants to do and although we sometimes joke that he’s “addicted,” I do worry that he spends too much time in games and not in real life. Can…
Dealing with In-Laws
Originally published in our Laudable Life advice column in the Lakelands Leader Q: My in-laws just stayed with us for several days over the holidays. Truth be told I don’t like them very much. My father-in-law seems a bit full of himself and my mother-in-law can be very controlling and critical of me, my housekeeping,…
Rediscovering your holiday spirit
Originally published in our Laudable Life advice column in the Lakelands Leader Question: I’m having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit. Every year I’m so stressed. I seem to do all the shopping for my own family, and my husband’s family; as well as most of our kids gifts as well. Then there’s…
Thanksgiving plans with girlfriend verses parents
Question: Our son Jack is a freshman at the University of Chicago. He’s our only child and we are very proud of him. He seems to be adjusting well to college. In fact, so well that he already has a girlfriend! Unfortunately he just texted his dad and I that he plans to go to…
IBS and Dating
Question: I’m single and dating, and I have IBS. I think telling a new guy is a third date topic. It’s embarrassing and it’s not “sexy,” so I like to put it off as long as possible. The problem is, it’s hard negotiating restaurant choices and choosing items that meet my dietary restrictions without sharing…
College Student Living at Home for the Summer
Q: I’m a college student living at home for the summer, and I’m starting to get annoyed with my parents. Even though I lived independently on campus, they’re enforcing rules that I had to follow as a high schooler. I understand that they want to keep me safe; so they limit my ability to hang…
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