Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 18

Five Hard and Blunt Truths About College Life in 2024

Alright, there will be no sugar-coating here.

If you want to hear the lowdown about college, keep reading. If you’re going to stay safe and warm in a cocoon of propaganda and feel-good placations, hit the back button and scroll.

No sugar-coating here: parents need to know the hard truths about college.

I’m the parent of two college grads, one of whom went to a highly selective, single-digit admissions rate, uber-competitive school. The other graduated from a large public state university with an...

Golden Birthday: 24 Great Ideas to Help Celebrate This Special Day

A “golden birthday” refers to THAT ONE BIRTHDAY — the once-in-a-lifetime event — where the birthday year you are celebrating matches the day you were born. (e.g., turning 18 on your birthday, April 18th).

How do you create a  golden birthday celebration? How to celebrate depends on the age of the honoree, your family’s traditions and budget, and, most importantly, the birthday celebrant’s wishes.

Yikes! I missed my teen’s golden birthday. What do I do now? You have another opportunity to celebra...

Former College President: What To Do If Things Go Wrong for Your College Student

How’s my kid doing? Certainly, this is the question most on the minds of parents who’ve dropped off a son or daughter at their new college or university, and have then made that (sometimes tearful) drive back home.   

This certainly can be a moment of some ambivalence.  We want our newly grown and flown student to be focused on their new college life, to be making friends, getting into their classes, and feeling at home on campus. But there’s a part of us that can miss our previous parenting ...

Teens Are Tracking Their Friends and Here’s Why Parents Think It’s Great

I was amazed to find that my son, who is in his 20s, and many of his friends track not only their families and significant others, but also share locations with a large circle of friends. Not being a digital native, or even digitally native adjacent, my gut reaction is to see any type of tracking as intrusive, largely unnecessary and honestly, kind of creepy. 

But after asking the almost three hundred thousand members of Grown and Flown Parents, I see things a little differently now. Many sai...

My Ninth Grade Students Wish Parents Understood THIS About First Year of High School

As a high school English teacher, I think a lot about how to help others communicate more effectively. So, last spring, as I was discussing with my ninth graders how much they’d changed since August in all the ways, I found myself also thinking of their parents.

Caregivers often ask me about these teenage-changes with a certain ringing-of-hands. It’s hard, they tell me, to convince their newly-minted high schooler to explain what they want and need, especially when it comes to their involvem...

The Funny Truth About Shopping for a Homecoming Dress

Homecoming season is upon us, which means parades, Spirit Days, football games and, of course, the dance.

Ah, the Homecoming dance. I can’t help but feel that society got it right nowadays because everyone who wants to go can, whether in a friend group or as a couple. Back when I went to high school (you know, in the days of dyeable shoes and Aqua Net hairspray) the Homecoming dance was reserved just for couples. 

Many things have changed, but not the excitement. (Photo credit: Katy Clark)...

Thanks to the Teachers Who See My Whole Child

Today the lazy days of summer have officially surrendered to the 5am alarm clock that will chirp in my ear for the next 10 months. My teacher brain will quickly adjust back to the bustling pace of the day. One quick moment after the next-bearing witness to all of the joy and pain, laughter and loneliness, milestones and moments that define the lives of hundreds of teenagers. And not long after I’m out the door, my own teenagers will wake to the blare of their alarms that will mark their senior ...

26 Advent Calendars for Teens and College Students (2024)

Bring back the magic of the holidays with these fun Advent calendars for your teen or college student. They’re exciting because your teen will get a little surprise each day leading up to Christmas. Based on previous years, many of these sell out so don’t wait if you see something you think they would LOVE.

Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through these links.

Popular Advent Calendars for Teens



1. Target Surprise Punch Bo...

25 Advent Calendars for Teens and College Students (2024)

Bring back the magic of the holidays with these fun Advent calendars for your teen or college student. They’re exciting because your teen will get a little surprise each day leading up to Christmas. Based on previous years, many of these sell out so don’t wait if you see something you think they would LOVE.

Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through these links.

Popular Advent Calendars for Teens



1. Target Surprise Punch Bo...

31 Best Halloween College Care Package Ideas

Halloween is a holiday that college students love to celebrate. Parents can help add to the festive atmosphere by sending a Halloween treat or a themed college care package with costumes, decor, and lots of treats to share.

Halloween is a perfect time to send a college care package. (Shutterstock: JeniFoto)Halloween college care package ideas

Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through these links. Prices are accurate at time of publica...