Nearly a year after sending my daughter Faith off to college, we're finally sitting down to talk about what that transition really looked like — the messy, uncomfortable, growth-filled truth of it.

In this episode, Faith and I dig into what we're calling the "weeds of the week": growing pains. From both sides — me as a mom and a parenting professional, and Faith as the one who actually lived through it.

We cover:

- Why I drove six hours alone on Labor Day weekend — and why I'd do it again

- The isolation Faith felt as an out-of-state acting major navigating COVID anxiety on a relaxed-policy campus

- How that one visit helped her claim the campus as *her* place, not just a place she was surviving

- The sophomore housing decision I disagreed with (and never said "I told you so" about — until she figured it out herself)

- Why setting honest, low expectations for freshman year might be the best thing I did

- The car breakdown that proved Faith could handle real life without us

- Why parents who tailgate are actually doing their kids a favor (you're welcome)

- My one parenting tip: **ask questions instead of giving answers** — it's how you help them see without telling them what to see

Wonders this week:

- Family group chats — from Bruce Springsteen to March Madness, our core five is just *good*

- The Artemis 2 mission — I cannot talk about it without tearing up

Read/Watch/Listen:

- 📚 *Husbands and Lovers* by Beatrice Williams — a dual-timeline novel that doesn't feel fluffy

- 🎧 *Good Hang* with Amy Poehler — women my age being delightful

- 📚 *Sea of Tranquility* by Emily St. John Mandel — time travel you don't see coming (Faith)

- 🎧 Olivia Rodrigo's back catalog — Faith's deep dive ahead of the new album

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Until next time — take care of yourself, and keep looking for the wonder.