Welcome to the Berklee Parents Learning Community

Berklee's Parent Office recognizes that the next few years will often have you stepping into new parenting situations and experiencing a range of transitions as your son or daughter more fully emerges into adulthood.

We know that students often first seek advice from their parents/guardians, and that when you feel informed and confident in the information that you have, you can help your student make the most of his or her college experience. Hence the Parent Office credo: Partnering with Parents for Student Success.

We are launching a number of free programs for parents during the 2010–2011 year, both online and at Berklee. These programs are designed to:

• keep you informed
• provide you with parenting strategies
• build your connections with other Berklee parents

In reviewing the Berklee Parents Learning Community calendar below, you will see that many of the events are offered via easily accessed webinars that you can attend from the comfort of your home. We invite you to attend as many programs as you can. Additionally, consider signing up for the Successful College Parenting Newsletter offered by Kay Kimball Gruder, M.Ed., certified parent coach and founder of SuccessfulCollegeParenting.com. The newsletter is written specifically for parents of pre-college and college students who want to explore new ways of addressing parenting challenges and help their student make the most of his or her college experience. Our Parent Office website also has links to recommended reading, parent videos, the Parent Handbook, career planning timelines, and information about student health and safety.

Between accessing information on our website and participating in on-site and webinar programming, you will have a range of tools and resources to help you parent throughout the year.

Berklee Parents Learning Community Calendar

May 2010

Orientation for Parents of Students Entering Summer 2010
Parent Orientation is your time to learn about the services and resources available to you as you help your student to make the most of his or her college experience. On Wednesday, May 18, please attend Navigating Your Relationship With Your College Student at 12:00 p.m. at the Cafe 939 Red Room, presented by Kay Kimball Gruder, M.Ed.

Sunday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Letting Them Grow
This interactive webinar is especially for parents/guardians of students who are admitted for fall semester 2010. Summer is a great time to help your student to fine-tune a range of life skills that can make the transition to college unfold a bit more smoothly. Students (and their parents) often underestimate the range of skills needed to adjust to campus life, to communicate effectively with new people, and to manage one's time. To register, go to successfulcollegeparenting.webex.com and open the Berklee New Parents session.

Sunday, May 16 or Thursday, June 10, 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Parenting Your College Graduate
This interactive webinar is especially for parents/guardians of students who have graduated in May 2010. Many college graduates return home after graduation, which can be stressful for even the healthiest of family systems. In this session we will explore some of the common conflicts that occur, take time to identify your expectations, and suggest strategies for helping your student to explore options and opportunities for the next steps in his or her life. To register, go to successfulcollegeparenting.webex.com and open the Berklee: Parenting Your College Graduate session.

August 2010

Sunday, August 8 or Thursday, August 12, 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Saying Good-Bye
This interactive webinar is designed for parents/guardians who wish to think about and shape the remaining days leading up to their student's departure for Berklee and who are feeling a bit anxious about saying "good-bye." Taking time now to think about the final moments you have with your son or daughter will help you as you process this transition. Please register for one session only. To register, go to successfulcollegeparenting.webex.com.

Monday, August 30
Orientation for Parents of Students Entering Fall 2010
Parent Orientation is your time to learn about the services and resources available to you as you help your student to make the most of his or college experience. Please attend Navigating Your Relationship with Your College Student, time and location to be announced.

September 2010

Thursday, September 23 or Sunday, September 26, 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
The Three Cs: Communicate, Coach, Connect
This webinar is essential for parents/guardians who seek to enhance their communication skills with their student. Consistently applying the "three Cs" to your relationship with your student will enhance your interactions while also giving your student room to more fully take responsibility for his or her decisions. Staying informed, guiding your student, and keeping lines of communication open are all key elements to effective parenting during the college years. Please register for one session only. To register, go to successfulcollegeparenting.webex.com.

October 2010

October 8–9
Family Weekend
Family Weekend is a wonderful time to come and visit your sons and daughters, see how things are going, and enjoy some time together. We will be offering a free seminar, Navigating the Holidays: Tips, Tricks, and Traps to Having Your College Student Home.

November 2010

Sunday, November 14, 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Navigating the Holidays: Tips, Tricks, and Traps to Having Your College Student Home
This interactive webinar provides you with information about common issues that emerge when students return home, gives you an opportunity to identify your expectations, reviews some of the more common parenting traps, and suggests strategies for interacting with your student. To register, go to successfulcollegeparenting.webex.com.

January 2011

Parent Orientation
Parent Orientation is your time to learn about the services and resources available to you as you help your student to make the most of his or college experience. We will offer Navigating Your Relationship with Your College Student on a date to be announced. Stay tuned for details!

Two Dates to Be Announced in Fall 2010 for Spring 2011

Parenting Your College Senior
This webinar includes a panel of key administrators at Berklee who are eager to share advice and resources to help you parent your college senior. Senior year is often accompanied by many ups and downs, and parents often feel like they are stepping into unfamiliar territory. During this webinar you will gain insight into the developmental stages occurring during senior year, common parenting traps, and strategies to guide your student without jumping into the driver's seat.

Making the Most of Summer: Parenting Beyond the Here and Now
This interactive webinar is designed for any parent/guardian who seeks to help his or her student make the most of summer. Summer is a great time to get a job or internship, and to work on developing life skills that are essential to one's success in and beyond college. In this session you will have time to think about life skills that you would like your student to enhance or gain, and opportunities for him or her to do so. Additionally, you will have the chance to analyze how you would like to parent your student through anticipated challenges and transitions during the coming months.