Tammy Kumin, founder of Concierge Service for Students (CSS), recently spoke with the New York Post about her business where she and four other women can be "rent-a-mom's" for students in boarding schools and college. “I’m a mom away from mom — a total support system for students,” said Kumin. “We get kids in pre-boarding schools, boarding schools or college, and we take care of their practical needs, medical needs, mental health needs and beyond.” Tammy is a biological mother of three and grandmother of six who does it all. Whether it's cooking, grocery shopping, laundry or to bail you out of jail, she's there.

Kumin created the service in 1993 with the goal of helping both U.S. and international students throughout the Northeast. The service costs $10,000 per academic year. With this money, parents can be ensured that the "rent-a-mom's" will be available to help their child with regular food deliveries, academic assistance, apartment hunting and doctor referrals. Kumin and her team of "moms" all evenly share the responsibilities of their clients while being on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Eighteen-year-old student, Alexander Hochberg, grew up in the Upper East Side before moving New England for boarding school. His family decided to take advantage of Kumin's service while Hochberg was away from home at school. “If I was homesick or needed a haircut or a point of comfort, and my parents were four hours away in New York, Tammy was there in 15 minutes,” said the high school senior. “On Jewish holidays, if I couldn’t make it home, she’d invite me over to be with her family.”

“There are all kinds of things that come up for kids who are studying away from home,” said Kumin. “We’re there for them and they know it. They’re totally comfortable to let us know what they need — all five of us — we all know exactly what’s going on with each kid, how they live, their families, everything.” When it comes to negative comments saying that the service is hindering a young adult's ability to mature, Kumin responded saying, “We’re not here to limit our students or spy on them for their parents. We’re here as lifelong friends who give kids and families peace of mind.”