Books about and for College Parents

Inclusion of a book on AHEPPP’s Book Page does not constitute an official endorsement by AHEPPP.  Titles are shared as resources recommended or created by members to support the field of family engagement in higher education and the student transition to college. The views and opinions expressed in these books are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of AHEPPP.

Building Institutional Systems of Support for the Parents and Families of College Students
Edited by Casandra E. Harper & Judy Marquez Kiyama

This book unpacks innovations in practice that engage with the parents, family, and key supporters of today’s college students, with particular attention to the experiences, programming supports, and needs assessment of first-generation, low-income, and families and students of color. This guide will be a valuable resource for experienced, new, and aspiring student affairs practitioners tasked with partnering with parents and families.

College Ready: Expert Advice for Parents to Simplify the College Transition
Edited by Chelsea Petree, Ph.D

Written entirely by AHEPPP members, College Ready 2023 provides practical guidance on what should be done during the summer, during drop-off, and the first semester. Checklists accompany each chapter so you don’t forget anything and don’t do  things you shouldn’t! And the book is full of ideas on how to start those tough, but very much needed, conversations.

Don't Tell Me What To Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years
by Helen E. Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller

When children leave for college, many parents feel uncertain about their shifting roles. By emphasizing the importance of being a mentor to your college student, "Don't Tell Me What To Do, Just Send Money" shows parents how to influence their college student while still supporting their independence.

Emptying the Nest: Launching Your Young Adult toward Success and Self-reliance
By Brad Sachs
In today’s rapidly changing world and challenging economy, young adults increasingly find themselves at a crossroads between financial and emotional dependence and autonomy. Drawing on Dr. Sachs' extensive clinical experience and his illuminating discussion of the latest psychological research, Emptying the Nest will support parents in their efforts to cultivate their young adult’s success and self-reliance while simultaneously maintaining healthy family relationships.

Engaging Families in Higher Education
By Christine Self, Elizabeth Massengale and Amy Murphy

In today's colleges and universities, parents and families are increasingly important as partners to support student in enrolling and navigating the college experience. Tailored to higher education professionals who work with the families of college students, this book provides a solid foundation for establishing or enhancing parent and family initiatives across the institution and how to partner with families to foster student success.

GenZ Goes to College
By Corey Seamiller and Megan Grace

Generation Z is rapidly replacing Millennials on college campuses. Those born from 1995 through 2010 have different motivations, learning styles, characteristics, skill sets, and social concerns than previous generations. Unlike Millennials, Generation Z students grew up in a recession and are under no illusions about their prospects for employment after college. Understanding Generation Z's mindset and goals is paramount to supporting, developing, and educating them through higher education.

Grown & Flown
By Lisa Heffernan and Mary Dell Harrington

Grown and Flown is a one-stop resource for parenting teenagers, leading up to―and through―high school and those first years of independence. It covers everything from the monumental (how to let your kids go) to the mundane (how to shop for a dorm room). Organized by topic―such as academics, anxiety and mental health, college life―it features a combination of stories, advice from professionals, and practical sidebars.

Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years
By Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger

"Letting Go" leads parents through the period of transition that their student experiences between the junior year of high school and college graduation. The authors explain how to distinguish normal development stages from problems that may require parental or professional intervention. The new edition explains the differences between college life today and the college life parents experienced 20 or 30 years ago. It features a completely new resource guide.

Out To Sea: A Parents' Survival Guide for the Freshman Voyage
By Kelly Radi

Out to Sea: A Parents' Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage will help you navigate the emotional and practical aspects of the freshman year. This easy-to-read, informative guidebook is swimming with helpful tips, organized checklists, and real-world advice from parents and experts alike. Out to Sea will keep your sanity afloat and ensure smoother sailing for you and your student as you embark on this grand voyage. 

The iConnected Parent: Staying Close to Your Kids in College (and Beyond) While Letting Them Grow Up
Barbara K. Hofer and Abigail Sullivan Moore


"Just let go!" That’s what parents have been told to do when their kids go to college. But in our speed-dial culture, with BlackBerries and even Skype, parents and kids are now more than ever in constant contact. Today’s iConnected parents say they are closer to their kids than their parents were to them—and this generation of families prefers it that way. Are parents really letting go—and does that matter?

You're On Your Own (but I'm here if you need me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years
By Marjorie Savage

A reality check on the process of students leaving home; with practical tips for supporting your student in the process. Marjorie Savage is the leading national expert in family engagement programs in higher education and an AHEPPP Founder. 

Book Page Submissions

AHEPPP’s Book Page showcases resources that support family engagement in higher education and the student transition to college. Books featured here are either authored, edited, or recommended by AHEPPP members and fall into two categories:

• For Practitioners: Professional resources on family engagement in higher education.

• For Parents & Families: Guides and insights to help families navigate the transition to college.

All titles are reviewed to ensure they align with the Association’s mission and serve as valuable tools for our members and the families they support.

To submit a book title for inclusion, AHEPPP members can fill out the Book Page Submission Form.