My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy!

Today's topic on Good Company was preparing college students for potential roommate issues. See the video here.

My advice for students (and parents) is to EXPECT conflict - yes, expect it. Even if you are planning to room with your best friend. Disagreements are natural and in fact, it teaches you the skill of resolution. It's the student who falls apart at the first fight, or keeps it all inside, that gets into trouble.

I interviewed hundreds of students for my book (and talked to plenty as a college counselor). I wrote a book and a site specifically on this topic which you may find useful. You'll find it at www.myroommateisdrivingmecrazy.com.

Be sure and read my free tips on rooming with a best friend, how to live with your opposite, and questions to ask a new roommate.

If you have roommate stories (good or bad) share them here!

Take care,

Susan

Room With a View

Hi All,

Here's a picture from my Dad's deck near Seattle. It doesn't get much better than this as far as I'm concerned! This is my yearly retreat to my home in the Northwest. This is the time of year that I think about the upcoming year, dream up new ideas and let go of things that didn't work from the previous year. I do a lot of running and hiking (getting ready for that half marathon) and strolling on the beach. It's amazing how a change in environment seems to loosen up my creativity.

I'm already planning some exciting projects for the fall, including parenting seminars. Keep checking out the website for the latest!

Take care of yourself and give yourself the gift of periodic breaks.

More later,

Susan

HEALTHY ROLE MODELS FOR TEENS

Is Paris Hilton a role model? I think not! However, that was the question yesterday on Cleveland's Good Company.
Cick here to watch the video.
Whether parents recognize it or not, we are our children's role models. They WANT to look up to us, so we need to give them something to be proud of. The best example we can provide is to live healthy, happy, satisfied lives. Appreciate your skills and abilities - use them to their fullest extent. Appreciate your body and invest in your health. Those messages speak volumes to our children.

If you need help, consider parent coaching. I have more information on my website. Look under "coaching" at www.susanfee.com.

Take care,

Susan

UPCOMING MEDIA APPEARANCES!

Hi Everyone!

I just returned from two weeks on the road conducting on-site training for a number of clients on various topics. Great to work with each and every one of you! I ask a lot of my workshop participants - no sitting back. I'm hired to encourage change, and that requires that people be willing to drop the walls and do something different. I ask you to challenge a lot of previous assumptions and that can be uncomfortable. I appreciate those of you willing to take the ride with me.

Back in Cleveland, I have a number of upcoming media appearances,and most will be accessible online. Here's the line-up:

Wednesday June 27: Good Company (WKYC TV, Channel 3) 10-11 am. Topic: Finding Positive Role Models for Children. I'll post the online video link here later today.

Thursday June 28: Family Matters Radio Program (WHK 1420 AM, Cleveland) 3:30-4:00 PM. Topic: Mean Girls, Helping Our Daughters Develop Positive Friendships. This program streams live and posts old shows. Visit www.familymattersradio.com

Monday July 2: Q104 Morning Show (Cleveland) - co-hosting from 5:30-10:00 am. Listen online at www.Q104.com

Wednesday July 11: Good Company (WKYC TV, Channel 3) 10:00-11:00 am. Topic: Circle of FRIENDS Summer Camp for Girls! We still have openings; camp runs July 16-20. Register by calling 800-600-5327.

Monday July 9: Q104 Morning Show (Cleveland). Back again 5:30-10 am! Listen live to 104.1 or online www.q104.com.

If you have questions on any of the topics - let me know!

Take care of yourself,

Susan

From Third to First

I had the great pleasure of seeing Elliot Yamin perform over the weekend at Cleveland's Rib Cookoff (yes, from the side of the stage, thanks to my husband!)

Elliot came in third place in last year's American Idol, and you'd never know that he didn't "win." He possess so much soul, passion, and integrity. Because he came in third, he didn't get the big record deal. He went out on his own and independently produced his own album. It's the best thing that could have happened to him.

His story reminds me how often we get blinded by wanting a certain outcome - that number one position - that we lose sight of what can happen when we are left to struggle. For every person who doesn't get the promotion, for every person whose heart gets broken by "the one" for every college student who doesn't get into their top choice - KEEP GOING! Give thanks. You are now free to follow the path you were meant to be on all along.

Take care,
Susan

15 GOING ON 16

Thanks to all the listeners of Cleveland's Q104 for supporting me on the air yesterday as I filled in for the traveling Rebecca Wilde. After co-hosting with my husband, the most common feedback I receive is, "You sound so natural together; the conversation really flows." It should - we've been married almost 16 years!

Honest, open communication between spouses is not always easy, but it is certainly attainable. Signs of healthy communication include feeling safe, trusting, empathy, respect, and understanding. Do you laugh easily and often with one another?

If you and your spouse struggle, or have hot topics that you simply cannot discuss, consider couples counseling to help you understand what to do differently. You can book an appointment with me or another counselor through Lakeshore Educational & Counseling Services by calling 800-600-5327.

Take care of yourself!
-Susan, www.susanfee.com

WAKE UP CALL: 3:30 AM

Hi Everyone!

I'll be co-hosting the Q104 Morning Show again with my husband Thursday May 24th. If you're not a Clevelander, you can listen live on the internet.

Have a relationship story or question? Call in and share it. We'd love to hear what's on your mind!

-Susan