Month: November 2025

• Watch favorites like Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” and David Fincher’s “Zodiac.”
• There are also Netflix originals like “Frankenstein” and “Train Dreams.”
• And a documentary on the life and career of Eddie Murphy.

From Oscar Isaac bringing the dead back to life in “Frankenstein” to Jim Carrey playing a hilarious private eye in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” here are the best movies to stream on Netflix this month.

The cold weather settled in this week and Denver had the coldest overnight temp in more than seven months.

Not your typical rescue call – MCHD EMS lend a helping hand to load up a runaway tortoise back home after one very slow getaway. 🐢

• When my kids return to their college campuses, I struggle with helplessness.
• Sending food and essentials helps maintain connection without hovering over my college students.
• Encouraging texts and thoughtful deliveries offer additional support and love from afar.

After wiping my tears on the drive home and adjusting to the quiet of my house, I was surprised by what lingered. Naturally, I missed my kids when they left for college, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness.

My two oldest children are now away at college, and my youngest is preparing to leave the nest in a year. Now, there’s nothing for me to do. They no longer need me in the same way they once did, and finding my place has been challenging.

I answer calls and texts, but I want to feel a sense of closeness to them. There’s a fine line between connecting and hovering. Thankfully, I know showing up at their door unannounced isn’t the best idea — at least not if I want to maintain a relationship.

But how can I let them know how loved they are without hovering over them? And how could I overcome the restless, helpless feeling that lingers?

It all started with a food delivery gone wrong.

I sent my daughter cookies through the mail

For my oldest daughter, I was beside myself that she wouldn’t be home for our traditional First Day of School Cookies. Her brother and sister would be here, but she would miss out.

I quickly got to work baking and packaging cookies to send express mail to her at school. She would love it, I thought.

I eagerly awaited her heartfelt reaction. The only problem was that the cookies took a roundabout route across the country. They arrived a week late and were a crumbled, stale mess by the time she got them.

Lesson learned.

Food is always a welcome delivery for my college kids

Now, I send food more reliably and save the homemade cookies for when my kids are home. That’s why I go to the professionals.

Having a company send treats is a much better way to ensure my kids get something delicious. I now send Bang Cookies, and my college kids love them.

Whether it’s cookies, ice cream, or even a full meal, I’ve found great options online. A surprise local delivery is also a fun option. I’ve sent a pizza or other treats from someplace near their school, which is an appreciated boost for late-night studying or just hanging out with friends.

Sometimes I send the necessities

While the surprise food treats are fun, sometimes a box of necessities is a welcome delivery. Sites like Amazon, Walmart, and Target make it easy to send essentials.

This isn’t about curated, Instagram-worthy care packages. This is a quick and easy “Add-to-Cart” package that ships directly to my students.

The things I send are usually an eclectic mix: beef jerky, hair products, extra pens and notebooks, and laundry detergent. And I always add a favorite candy or beverage.

These packages remind them that I love them in practical ways, even when they’re far from home.

Plus, it helps me feel like I can still take care of them a little bit without having to swoop in.

The most important thing I do is send encouraging messages

I have to resist texting my kids too much. This is a time for them to grow into their independence, after all. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t reach out occasionally. Instead of waiting for long video chats where they tell me everything about their day, I send random encouraging texts — with zero expectations.

The lack of expectation is the key to this working. These texts aren’t bait to hook them into a long back-and-forth. They are simple statements that come to mind when I think of them, but not every single day. That would definitely fall in the hovering category.

Instead, I send a random “I’m proud of you” or “Good night.” Texts like these go a long way, even if my kids don’t show it. I can remind them how loved they are, and that they always have family to support them.

It’s a simple thing that makes me feel connected to my college kids without overwhelming them.