Marry the right person. Excellent advice! We have always tried to convey that point to our five kids. My husband will say, "What's the moral of this story?" and the kids will always say, "Be careful who you marry."

My heart broke when you started telling us about your first week without Haley by your side. It sucks but it’s totally normal (my youngest just started college). You know what? As much as you miss her because she’s so amazing, wait until you see how much more she will blow your mind with her maturity, strength and tenacity. As a mom, your heart will grow two sizes (and I know you like to have movie references so picture the grinch when his heart grows). They just continue to amaze you and everything you taught them; you see them grow exponentially. I know you are already proud and with good reason. Please know this time away not only gives her the room to grow but it also makes her appreciate you as well. Your bond will continue to grow but it will change in some ways as well. You will always be her mom, but my mom and I now… it’s just WOW - she’s really my best friend. Hang in there - it’s a tough transition but it’s part of the journey.❤. Much love to you and your family 😊

My husband and I are always talking about how post COVID restaurants are roughhhh. Not all of them in our area but more than prior to COVID 😬

My husband and I were so aligned when raising our son that he would call us Pete and Repeat. Consistency is key. He had no doubts as to correct behavior. I absolutely agree choosing the right person is the most important. It took me 33 years to find him. We just celebrated 26 years and it has been awesome.

Not all moms are sad when oldest goes to college or leaves home. Some rejoice... Your relationship with Haley is awesome!

You made me cry talking about Hailey leaving! Loved this open and honest Q&A!

What a blessing to have such a wonderful relationship with your daughter that you are grieving her moving on. Not all kids get to have that relationship with their parents. Good Job by you!❤

Yes, after C-19, I don't like eating out. Except for McDonald's which I don't like eating much either. I have cried when my older ones left one to college and the other to the Navy. Every time they visit and when they leave, I cry again. Specially the one who is in the Navy. My college child came back and lives near by. Now I am dealing with my youngest son and his boundaries because I don't want him to move out. I am going through Pre-menopause, and not feeling Pretty. I am going to the podcast to listen. Maybe it will help mid-age women too❣️❣️

Oh man girl, you hit all the feels with marriage and your daughter leaving. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for almost 23 years and we struggled with communication an embarrassingly long time but we got it figured out! We married young as well and grew up together! I’ve had two children (both daughters) move out and go off to college. You hit the nail on the head, it sucks. I balled my eyes out for weeks! My second daughter moved back home to save money and attend a community college but is planning on moving across the country next summer and she and I both cry about that already! I love listening to your podcasts and watch your videos. You have a heart of gold! Much love to you and your family!

My youngest child is now in her 2nd year of college and she's only 40 minutes away but it's still very sad for me. Being an empty nester has really rocked my world. It's been much harder on me than my husband. I think he's actually loving it! But he's not the mom. 😢 Also, Christine, being a grandparent is the BEST. 😊

Christine- in terms of your marriage, how did you and Dave manage the emotional sides of moves and being away from family? I moved like 18hrs away from home to move to my husband's hometown. (We met when we were both working in a town half way between both families). It's so hard to be away from my family. It requires two flights + 1-3hrs of driving (depending if we go to my mom or dad's house). It's expensive, it's hard, and it means we have to plan and save specifically so I can see my family. Plus when we go we are balancing seeing my mom and my dad who live 3 hours apart from each other. So just looking for some advice because I know you and Dave moved around a bunch. Also- prayers for you and Hailey and your whole family. You've done such a good job at creating independent children and that was the greatest gift my parents gave me when I went off to college.

Just recently found your channel & love your advice! You sound like a terrific parent! ❤👏🏼👍🏼 Good for you sharing how you raise your kids, parenting with your hubby, nutrition, being frugal, finding a spouse, values & boundaries. 👏🏼🙌🏼❣️ It seems many younger persons feel somewhat lost & needing advice… No family usually knows how valuable a Mom is in their family. 😘❣️🙏🏼 We do not eat out - Celiac here 🙋🏻‍♀️ and flour stays in the air for 24 hours and I am an Airborne Reactive Celiac. So I do not go anywhere there is FOOD. 😮☹️ Cauliflower 🤣😂😅 Congratulations on 20 years! 👏🏼❣️ Awe, yes, empty heart when they leave 💔 Wait until/if you live 12 hours drive from her. Snapchat is a lifesaver when you miss your adult children, I tell all my empty nesters. 👍🏼 I too decided to get back onto YT and am learning all the changes since I left 8 years ago. 😂 Plus I switched from Microsoft to apple, that’s a challenge! 🤪 So look for some videos soon. 😉 Be Blessed, Maria D. 😘

Your remarks about your daughter are so relatable. I’ve sent 3 kids away to live their lives and people think it gets easier but it’s always devastating.

I can relate to your daughter leaving. Mine is only 45 minutes away and every time I talk to her after I hang up I just bawl my eyes out. Like you I miss her so much, but I also grieve our old life. This has been the hardest time of my life.

I also don't enjoy going out to eat, mostly because it's expensive and makes me feel sick. But my worst restaurant experience was when we waited for over an hour, with only some drinks, then our waitress came back and asked if we were ready for the check... she hadn't even taken our order! They were super busy that night but still. Also anytime at a restaurant where the waiter didn't refill my dads drink quick enough he would get up, go into the kitchen and get his own refill. It was always super embarrassing and that move is called pulling a "Maston" 😂

Our oldest daughter will be heading to college next year and my husband and I are not ready for that yet. I’m curious how your boys felt when Hailey left too. We have 3 other daughters(15, 10, & 7) and they are so close together that I often wonder how sad they will be as well. I know there’s visits and FaceTime and all of that but it’s not the same as seeing someone everyday even if it’s only for a couple minutes. Otherwise, love these type of podcasts. Love getting to know you and sometimes Dave more on a more personal level(as if it’s not all personal already). ❤

Your daughter is doing what she wants with her life. You have to give her wings. It is where she is happy.

We are so different, yet I enjoy your videos. Thank you for your content.

I don’t know many if any that specifically chose the right person. Most of us were young and dumb when we got married. Those that survive definitely have good advice because they were lucky enough to have hard times that they could work through. Some hard times can’t be worked through. And some people can’t get out of their own way aren’t willing to work through the workable hard times. Define your boundaries early and commit to working through everything else. Winning

Great episode! You look great 😊 You are an awesome mom and have an amazing family!

Thanks for your videos! Your the best!!

I am watching this on your KZfaq channel. Just a comment about the sound---You and the microphone need to be closer together. It is hard to hear you, and I have my volume/sound settings on their highest level. Maybe in the podcast format, the sound is good. You are feeling the same things that any mother feels when their oldest goes off to college. Your sweet daughter has been with you the longest, so it is hard to let her fly away from the nest. I wish her all the best and I am sure she will have an amazing experience.

I have had similar experiences at restaurants lately, too, in a couple different states. If the service and food isn't on point, it just doesn't seem worth it with the high cost.

Is that a new microphone? It sounds amazing! Thanks for a great episode! My daughters name is Hailey too, even though she’s only 15 months now you had me tearing up hearing about your Hailey moving out.

I have the red undertone in my skin. I constantly get a comment along the lines of " someone's had a little too much sun" someone's been in the sun"... 🤣😂 It use to cause me so much questioning if something is wrong with my face. Lol now I just know it's in my blood line

Lemme tell you, Christine, I didn't have the privilege of raising biological children, but my husband had older kids when we married, and I am now a grandma. Or as my grandkids call me... Essie... it is the best.

Thanks for your videos! We are on our journey again to clean up our financial mess and using your grocery budget method to help us find more dollars in the budget.

More of these kind of episodes please. Love the fast paced Q&A videos.

Great podcast. Thank for sharing. I love your bangs. Looks great on you. My youngest went into the Army the August after graduation. It was so hard. We couldn't talk whenever we wanted. We didn't see her again until the week before Christmas that year. Whenever she was allowed to call home we immediately dropped everything and put her on speaker so we could all talk at once. Our babies leaving is very difficult.

I’m in a great restaurant area, but still love cooking at home… so much better than dealing with the noise and such at a restaurant…

It must be my computer but I turned my volume all the way, as well as the video volume, and I could barely hear. Yes: the mic was a lot better, but the volume was too low.

You Are Not Broken with Dr. Kelly Casperson is also an excellent podcast! She changes lives, for sure.

I love going out to eat and trying new restaurants. It is one of my favorite hobbies, as well as trying new wineries and distilleries.

Hey - not a criticism ...I have redness on my skin but green undertones, so I use a green concealer over my redness and it tones it down. Sort of cancels it out. But...not a big deal, really.

🇨🇦Great questions and wise answers. You are an amazing young woman!

I wish the episodes were released at the same time on Audible.

Once More With Feeling...girl...YYYYEEESSS!!! 💯

I’ve been wondering about Speedy too 😢

I was the same when my daughter went away to school, and it did take me by surprise also.

Great video!!❤🎉 your such a beautiful lady❤

Love your podcast! Always get excited when you have a new one.

My mom says she also cried for days (in my bed) after I went to college! I was away for years but now I live 30 minutes away!

Love watching you. I am cleaning my pantry

In the last 3 years, 3 of our 4 children left the house, for college/ or work. It's not easy! So little food to make or laundry to do... A few times they were not well (yes life happens, it's normal), so then it was even harder to be far away. Okay France is a small country comparing to the US.

I love your channel's. All of them. You have been doing this for so long, When are you going to get an official office/work/recording space in your home? Dedicated to you and your work. What you use, I'm sure works well but you should customize something and write it off. You deserve it. Great pod ep and video as usual.

For whatever reason I have limited/low volume on this video 😪

I missed your pod videos

I loved it.

What's up with the low audio?

The restaurant issue in waiting is all over the place: we live in Ohio

This is a great episode! Love hearing your answers. I would love to be a guest in your podcast and share my produce tips for saving money. Several people recommended that I reach out to you because our audiences both are all about saving money! Can we make this happen? - Amy Cross

I only have 1 son. I cried for hours after we dropped him off at university.

I turned my volume all the way and it was still hard to hear you. 😊

Unsolicited opinion: everyone’s face has an undertone. This is normal human things, weird for people to comment on! Your face looks great! Everyone has an undertone!

Making your beef stroganoff as I listen to this

I do think kids can be hungry and have a snack between meals 🤷🏼‍♀️

Choosing the wrong spouse can destroy SO MANY LIVES by decimating relationships. I've never wished for redo - except for that.