A few years ago, I was in University, working towards my education degree. I had wanted to be a teacher my whole life and I was proud that I was accomplishing the goal that I had dreamed of from a small child.

I was about halfway done when I started to think outside the box. I was a young bride and mother and I started to have doubts about being a teacher. I decided that I did not want to leave my son with a sitter, just to go and spend my day in a room full of other people’s kids.

I went to see a counselor who told me the typical answer: "your next choice will determine your future - but it is your choice and no one had the right to judge you for your decision." In the end, I decided that being with my son was what was best for us at the time.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to meet and grow rich in love with many other mothers who think like I do. We get to stay home with our babies, and we all know that school will be there when our babies are grown.

Even though it is winter, it is not too early to think about prom - at least that is what my daughter says.  She has been spending the past few months looking at dresses, making a list of boys to go with, and trying to find a New York Limousine Rental that she could afford.

Since I am not too good with dresses, or picking out the right boy for her, I decided I could help her with the NYC Limo Rental.

Sure, I had never rented a Limousine before but I helped her find a good rental company.  All we did was go online and search for "Prom Limousine New York".  There were quite a few companies that came up and we checked out the reviews.  Some of them were good, while others were bad.  We picked one of the better ones and booked it for the date of her Prom.

I can’t believe that my little girl is all grown up now.  Seems like just yesterday we were playing in the park.  It will really sink in for me when Prom night comes up - I hope I don’t cry.

Today I had the opportunity of attending a seminar on parenting.  It was not very long, but it focused on some key things that parents can do to ensure that their children have success in their lives.  According to them the key to success was parent involvement at all stages of their kids’ lives.

The first step to follow is parent involvement in education.  Now, this does not just mean scholastic education - it can include all facets of learning: from teaching your child their first words to showing them how to drive.  They continuously emphasized that parents needed to be committed to helping their child learn: whether it be reading them a book, letting them help you cook, or helping them with their homework.  By taking the time to let you child know that education is important, parents help instill a love of learning in their child.

Another key area that we covered is the lack of parent involvement in schools.  Part of the problem is the busy nature of most of our lives - which reduces the amount of time we have.  But, even something simple as volunteering for a field trip helps not only your child, but the other children in their class.  This can increase the one-on-one time between the students and adults, helping the kids get the answers they need.

Helping out in schools does not end after elementary school as many parents believe.  Instead it can continue into high school (think band trip chaperone) and even into college.  Think of it this way: if there is an activity going on, chances are they need someone to help out.

The presenters closed the seminar with a simple challenge to parents - get involved in your children’s lives.  With all the above compelling evidence, I do not see how you cannot.