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We've got the proof - a whole variety of books on the college admissions process is available, just for Mom and Dad! If you think it's hard dealing with the college admissions process, wait until your teen is actually in college, far away from your guidance!

Let the Journey Begin: A Parent's Monthly Guide to the  

College

  Experience by Jacqueline Kiernan MacKay and Wanda Johnson Ingram (Houghton Mifflin, 2002) will help you during those initial months after you send in the tuition deposit.

Highlighter Hint: Be sure to read the real-life strategies from parents who've dealt with everything, from empty-nest syndrome to the academic struggles of their son or daughter.

Here's one for you and your teen to read together: Doors Open From Both Sides, The Off-To-College Guide From Two Points of View: Parents and Students by Margo E. Bane Woodacre, MSW and Steffany Bane (American Literary Press, 2001). The concept is simple: You're both going through a complicated transition and it's important to understand each other's perspective. Get Margo's (that's Mom) and Steffany's (that's the college-bound daughter) take on all senior-year subjects.

Highlighter Hint: Notice that although the advice speaks to the parent and the student separately, the underlying message to both in nearly every situation is to be understanding of the other's point of view.

Unlike most college parenting books, Closing the Gap: A Strategy for Bringing Parents and Teens Together (Fireside Books, 2001) is written by a college student, Jay McGraw. That, however, is what makes the advice effective. Breaking down myths like "parents can't be friends with their teens" and "parents don't respect their teen's opinions," the author pulls no punches for either party.

Highlighter Hint: You won't find any ways to help your son study for the SAT here. Instead, the author focuses on strengthening parent/student relationships to, in turn, ensure academic success.

For a quick-read during your family campus visit outings, take along 10 Stupid Things College Kids Do by Jessie Haynes (NAC Publishing, 2000). What you'll find are some harsh but must-know facts about life on campus. If nothing else, it can initiate a conversation to be sure your teen is aware of the pressures he or she will face, as well as to devise a game plan to deal with them.

Highlighter Hint: While there isn't much in the way of expert advice in this guide, you'll gain a sense of campus life beyond television and movie depictions.

Are you simply afraid of how your teen will fare on their own? Or, perhaps your teen is the one who's scared? A Parent's Guide to Sex, Drugs, and Flunking Out: Answers to the Questions Your College Student Doesn't Want You to Ask by Joel Epstein (Hazelden, 2001) arms you and your teen with strategies on how to choose the right college in terms of safety and survival. Don't let the title scare you off - from issues like dorm safety and campus alcohol policies, to money matters and difficult roommates, the time to prepare your teen is now.

Highlighter Hint: Take a look at the many in-your-face statistics and case studies to become aware that college success comes to those who stay focused and keep their eye on the graduation prize.

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