Doors Open from Both Sides

Rating:
Summary: Deftly written and highly recommended reading.
Review: Deftly co-authored by the mother/daughter team of Margo E. Bane Woodacre and Steffany Bane, Doors Open From Both Sides is a parent/student guide for navigating the emotional transition to college and describes the full array of new challenges facing both the parent and their child from college acceptance to graduation. Drawing on their own personal narratives, as well as the experience of other students and their parents, Woodacre and Bane have created a welcome guide that will enable families to cope with the unique pressures of a college student that can hold far more emotional trauma that might be commonly expected. The text is "reader friendly", sensible, pragmatic, practical, and strongly recommended reading for every parent with a college bound student, and ever child leaving home for their first big academic adventure and independent campus oriented living experience.

Rating:
Summary: Good to know my feelings are shared!
Review: How I wish I had known about this book two years ago when my daughter left home for college! I was happy for her starting a new phase in life; however, shortly after she left I felt lonely and abandoned. I didn't express my feeling to her during her infrequent phone calls and I felt guilty having these feelings. After reading "Doors Open From Both Sides" I realized my feeling were not unique and I started questioning my friends who claimed similar feelings. Next, I had a long "visit" with daughter (using some suggestions in the book). This dialog helped clear many feeling that were lying dormat for years (my daughter is now a junior). I have since given a copy of this book to my sister and two friends. It's great to know that these feelings are shared by others. Hopefully, by reading this book while your child is in their senior year, you can be prepared for the transition!

Rating:
Summary: Good to know my feelings are shared!
Review: How I wish I had known about this book two years ago when my daughter left home for college! I was happy for her starting a new phase in life; however, shortly after she left I felt lonely and abandoned. I didn't express my feeling to her during her infrequent phone calls and I felt guilty having these feelings. After reading "Doors Open From Both Sides" I realized my feeling were not unique and I started questioning my friends who claimed similar feelings. Next, I had a long "visit" with daughter (using some suggestions in the book). This dialog helped clear many feeling that were lying dormat for years (my daughter is now a junior). I have since given a copy of this book to my sister and two friends. It's great to know that these feelings are shared by others. Hopefully, by reading this book while your child is in their senior year, you can be prepared for the transition!

Rating:
Summary: Opening Doors opened my eyes
Review: I rarely write reviews, but in the case I found it importnant. Opening Doors is the most thought provoking and helpful book I have ever read. Recently sending my own child off to college was in one word difficult. But through this book I was able to realize that seperation while inevitable doesn't have to be the end. More so a great beginning. I highly recommend this book to any parent fearing the moment when they have to let their children go.

Rating:
Summary: College Survival Tool at its Best!
Review: I recommend this book to any parent who is sending their child off to college- and don't foget to buy two.... One for you and one for your child! It has valuable advice on every subject imaginable, even ones that you may not feel comfortable discussing. This book offers ideas and suggestion on how to make the transition from home to college as smooth as possible and helps to keep discussion open. It is an honest book told from both sides of the story which is a breath of fresh air. It really is a valuable tool for every family and I couldn't have survived without it!

Rating:
Summary: A 5 Word Definition For Communication
Review: The title of this book, Doors Open From Both Sides, is a great 5 word definition for communication.

It's an eye-opening book to the issues and surprises that parents and their kids ought to look and then talk about before and after getting into college. It's personal and practical - especially because it gives insights and observations from both sides: a daughter and a mom. As I read the book I could hear both of them talking to each other in the same room - because they learned to be on the same page - especially by writing this book together. A good read.

Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: What a great resource. It really made the transition to college easier on myself and my family. I highly recommend this read.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for College Students
Review: When given this book, I thought I didn't need it. College, no problem! Well, my first lesson in college was that I was wrong. I did need this book. Doors Open from Both Sides, is a must have for not only college students, but also for parents. After reading through this book I learned that I wasn't the only one going through all these emotions that I had never before felt, that I wasn't the only one who was sacred, anxious, nervous, excited, and thrilled all at the same time. The thing is, I didn't just learn that other college students shared my feelings, but that my parents did too. In there own way, they were riding an emotional roller coaster right along with me.

The greatest part about Doors Open From Both Sides is that its not written by some doctor who probably doesn't even have kids, but it's written by a parent and child who experienced all these feelings and dealt with all the issues. It is the true story of a parent/ child relationship that everyone can relate to.

Going away to college, coming home for the first time, and growing up, are all issues that can be dealt with with a little patience and understanding. Door Open From Both Sides, gives that understanding, along with some tips and pointers that are realistic and helpful.

Keep this book in mind for anyone you know that may be going away to school or that has a child going away. Makes a great graduation gift.