1. Parenting & Family
About.com
Young Adults

Discuss in my forum

Best Reader Tips on Parenting Teens & College Students

Parenting Tips from the Pros - Other Parents

By , About.com Guide

See More About:
Experience is a great teacher, but when it comes to parenting older teens and college kids, we can all use some help from the pros - other parents. So here's a round-up of readers' best tips on parenting teens and college students. Browse through their ideas, then add your own.

1. Every Dorm Room Needs A ...

Photo by Jackie Burrell
When it comes to outfitting your child's college dorm, you can ignore those glossy shelter magazines with the fabulous dorm layouts. Dorm rooms look nothing like that. So besides the extra-long sheets and toiletries, what else does your child need?

Bay Area Mama says: A machine washable, cozy blanket or throw is a must! A bathrobe to minimize wardrobe malfunctions ...Read more

Share Your Dorm Room Must-Haves

2. Dorm Walls & Decorating Tips

Photo courtesy of Target
Ever tried sticking a poster to cinder block walls? Readers shared their dorm decorating tips, from how to attach posters - duct tape? or, er, cafeteria oatmeal? - to wet towel solutions.

Sheri says: Use 3M hooks with Command Adhesive (the kind that is removable when you pull the tab. These are especially handy for hanging up wet towels so they can dry and be used over and over and over.... :-) They can also be used for ...Read more

Share Your Dorm Wall Decorating Tips

3. Best 18th Birthday Party Ideas

Photo by Craig Jewell, Stock.Xchng Photos
Limo rides? Surprise parties? Readers' best 18th birthday party ideas ranged from surprise sushi fests to murder mystery dinners and this clever idea.

Guest Z says: My friend's party was so amazing. Her mom rented a moon bounce obstacle course thing and it was a blast!! People were racing and taking pics of other ppl jumping from one tall obstacle to another...Read more.

Share Your Best Tips

4. Best Graduation Gift Ideas

Courtesy Stock.Xchng Photos
Fountain pens, cuff links, cash ... what's the best graduation gift you ever gave or received? Readers share their ideas, from personalized towels to baskets of goodies.

Cdgthomas says: My favorite high school graduation gift was a nice basket of goodies including pens, paper, and supplies I'd need for college. I used the basket for storage in my closet when I got there...Read more.

Share Your Best Gift Idea

5. Great Family Vacation Ideas

Photo by Denis Jr. Tangney, iStock
New Orleans, Montreal, San Diego... There are some great family vacation ideas out there for families with older teens and college kids. Readers' ideas ranged from the Maine coast to beach rentals.

Susan says: My family loves the outdoors. Thank goodness my teenage granddaughter hasn't outgrown that. Our most memorable vacations have been to Yellowstone, the Maine coast and Elbow Cay in the Bahamas... Read more.

Share Your Vacation Ideas

6. Splitting Wedding Expenses

Photo courtesy of Ben Earwicker, Garrison Photography
Weddings cost a mint these days. So how do you split the bill? Bride's family pays all? Couple foots the bill? Halfsies? Readers share their tips...

Catherine says: Our parents were generous--within reason. My mother-in-law picked a few things she wanted to pay for, incl. the rehearsal dinner (held at a family member's restaurant) and the flowers. For everything else... Read more.

Share Your Tips.

7. Worst Roommate Ever

RoommatesPhoto by Josh Blake, iStock Photo
We'll sympathize with our college kids more if we remember our own college roommate experiences: the fermenting laundry, bizarre habits, compulsive "borrowing." Readers share their Worst Roommate Ever stories...

MdMomof3 says: My freshman year of college, I had three roomates in a suite and they were all extremely loud in an annoying, goofy way. They would answer the suite phone by screaming into the receiver - several of my friends almost went deaf. And it was impossible to study ... Read more

Share Your Worst Roommate Story

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.