Lifestyle

Life Coach Alicia Trautwein Shares Tips for Sending your Kid to College

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2021

Going to college is a fascinating chapter in a teenager’s life. They get to experience a completely different lifestyle. The majority of them will leave their parents’ home and move into their dorms or rented apartments. They will be attending their classes, meeting new people, and hanging out with friends. All of it forming them into the grownups they will end up becoming. However, it can be a tough adjustment for parents.

When you become a parent, you know there will come a time in your life in which you will have to let your children fly solo and allow them to expand beyond the kingdom of your home. College is the first step in this direction and, although you are expecting it, it can be a challenging adjustment. Luckily, some experts can help you navigate this process better. Life Coach Alicia Trautwein is one of them.

Trautwein is the blogger behind The Mom Kind and has turned to the internet to share her parenting advice for many years now. Her quest began after her and her children’s Autism diagnosis. When searching online, she realized there was not enough information on autistic girls or neurodiverse families, raising kids with different diagnoses. For that reason, she created a safe space in her blog where parents can turn to when they need advice on varied topics related to parenting.

A while back, Alicia Trautwein wrote about the pain parents may experience when sending their children off to college. It does not matter how many months go by, this article is still relevant. Although reality changed when COVID-19 hit, many families are now getting ready to move their teenagers into college when the fall semester comes, and in-person classes can resume. Trautwein may not be able to take the pain and doubts away, but she can help ease these feelings with four very clever tips.

Stay in touch as much as you can: “If you want to know something, then you can give them a call or send them a text message. If you want a little chat or are wondering how they’re doing, you can get to them in seconds. Just don’t message or call too much – you’re not supposed to be overbearing anymore!”
Keep pictures: “If you have photos on your shelf and your phone of them, then you’ll always have those memories in front of you. Sure, your thoughts are great, but there’s something about actually seeing them in front of you that can make you feel a lot better.”
Consider how much fun they are going to have: “They will return to you so much more mature after all the fun and all the experiences. Just know that they won’t be missing you as much and that they need this kind of break from you.”
Do not sit around and think for too long: “Do something to keep your mind occupied so that you don’t overthink absolutely everything regarding their new life. If you sit around for too long, your mind can become a minefield that is packed full of negative hypotheticals. That’s not something you ever want in life. Don’t worry about things you cannot control.”

No one can ever prepare you enough for what your heart and your home will feel like once your children are in college. Your parents may have shared their own experiences with you, and that still will not be enough. But by following Alicia Trautwein’s advice, you might feel more in control of the situation. And truth be told, this is your time to have fun as well. Enjoy the alone time or the time with your partner and do things you might have postponed while raising kids.

Lifestyle

Finding the “Best Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me:” A Complete Guide

Published

5 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Michelle Langton

Getting injured in a car accident is a stressful time. After all, you could face serious injuries that affect you for the rest of your life.

Thankfully, a good personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this complex moment in your life, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed finding the right one. If you are a resident of the Old Dominion and Googling “best injury lawyer near me Virginia,” look no further than the Richmond law firm Burnett & Williams.

One of the most common questions people ask about hiring an attorney after a car crash is “When should I contact a lawyer?” The answer is as soon as possible.

After receiving medical care, your next call should be to a personal injury attorney, as they will be able to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim. A sense of urgency will help them fight to get you the compensation you deserve and prevent you from making any mistakes with the insurance company that will hurt you in the long term.

An important thing to keep in mind when hiring a personal injury attorney is the statute of limitations, the state-imposed deadline by which a victim has to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from receiving any damages for the accident.

Although the statute of limitations can vary from state to state, in many states, including under Virginia law, it is two years from the date of an accident. If you delay hiring an attorney, it gives them less time to prepare your case.

Why hire a personal injury attorney?

But what does a personal injury attorney do that helps your case? The main benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney include:

Investigation: After hiring an attorney, they will begin an extensive investigation process. They will collect all records, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos you took of the scene. They may also revisit the scene of the accident or consult expert witnesses, such as medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists, to build the strongest possible case.

Negotiation: Your lawyer will then get to work crafting a demand letter to the insurance company (or companies). One of the best things about hiring a personal injury attorney is that they handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Not only does this mean that you are less likely to fall victim to the insurance adjusters’ pressuring tactics, but it also allows you to focus more on what matters most: your recovery.

Trial representation: While many personal injury cases end in settlements, sometimes both sides cannot come to an agreement for fair compensation. In these cases, your claim will proceed to trial, where it will be heard by a judge and/or jury. When a personal injury case goes to court, it is important to have a skilled trial lawyer on your side who is willing and able to argue your case.

How to determine which Virginia personal injury lawyer is best for your Virginia injury claim

However, it can be difficult to determine which personal injury attorney to hire. There are tons of radio ads, billboards, and Google search results that all claim to be the “best injury lawyer near me,” so how do you know which ones actually are the best? Attorney C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams, guides us through what injury victims should look for when hiring an attorney.

One of the first things to look for when hiring a personal injury attorney is their fee structure. The best personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid a percentage of the final settlement or award. These are the “we don’t get paid unless you win” guarantees.

While other specialties, such as criminal law, operate on an hourly basis, the status quo for personal injury law is a contingency fee. “Be suspicious of anyone who asks for an upfront retainer or hourly rate for your personal injury case, as this could imply that they don’t think they can win your case,” Williams advises.

It is also important to look for a law firm with a specialty area that correlates with your specific accident. “Not every lawyer is trained and equipped to handle every personal injury case,” explains Williams. “For example, truck accidents involve additional complex laws beyond the typical auto accident case. So do motorcycle accidents. An attorney who has only ever handled standard car accident claims might not be the right fit to handle one of these cases.”

But perhaps the single biggest factor to consider when choosing the best injury lawyer near you is their track record. “More often than not, experienced personal injury attorneys’ results should be able to speak for themselves,” says Williams.

If a law firm has good reviews online and has a history of winning big settlements and jury awards, chances are they are a good choice to hire. “And as a bonus, the better the reputation, the more leverage you get in the negotiation process,” Williams adds. “Insurance companies are often scared to go to trial against a lawyer they think they might lose to.”

If you are looking for the best Virginia personal injury lawyers, look no further than the skilled and experienced attorneys at Burnett & Williams. “Contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will review your case and determine if we can help get you the compensation you deserve.”