Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 27

11 Affordable Dorm Room Lights that Combine Style and Function

Credit: Pottery Barn Teen

For study dates and making late-night memories, lighting is one of the key ingredients to crafting the perfect dorm room. While you have to purchase all the necessities like bedding and storage first, finding the right mood lighting can be the key to your student’s room becoming a designated hang-out spot. The best dorm room lighting is budget-friendly, stylish, and versatile enough to use in various spaces throughout the room.

To find the best dorm room lighting...

THIS Stage, the Teen Years, Is Certainly the Best Stage

My husband and I recently spent the day together to celebrate my birthday while our kids were in school. I wanted a quietly-adult day-a breakfast at my favorite sunny spot lingering over coffee I didn’t make, a lazy walk around the National Mall to see cherry blossoms and gape at tourists, and most important, a visit to the National Gallery to see a temporary Rothko exhibit. 

How civilized. 

But as we entered the exhibit, hushed tones were quickly drowned out by loud voices, laughing and a...

What Does a Mother Tell School When Her Daughter’s Been Out All Night With Her Drug Dealer?

Editor’s Note: Based on real events. Names have been changed for privacy. This essay deals with a suicide attempt by a teen.

I suppose I should call in sick for her. She will be expelled if I don’t. I pick up the phone and start to dial, then stop and heat up some water. I’ll have a cup of coffee and then think about it more clearly, from a caffeinated state.

I hate the thought that I would be lying to her school. I’m not all that cozy with the idea of lying, period. I was that horrible gi...

These 6 Tote Bags Are Functional, Stylish, and the Best for School

Credit: Lululemon/MZ Wallace

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While you can’t go wrong with a good backpack, a tote bag is a stylish and convenient way to carry all school gear to and from class. When choosing the best tote bags for school, there are a few key elements to consider, especially if you want them to be both functional and stylish. Padded laptop or tablet compartments, compartments, zippered pockets, and...

‘Time Flies’ Is a Misnomer, I’ve Been Here for All of It With My Daughter

My daughter just graduated high school. My daughter just graduated high school! My daughter just graduated high school??? These are all the feels a mom gets when her daughter graduates high school.

People say, “My How Time Flies!” “A senior already?”, “I can’t believe it!” I don’t mean to be smart, but, “Yes.” She’s been a senior all year. Believe it.

I understand what people are really trying to say when they say these phrases. They mean that she grew up without them noticing. They were b...

Doing This One Thing NOW Will Help Your Teen When They Apply to College Later

The school year is winding down and everyone is ready for a break. But, if you think your teen will be applying to colleges their senior year of high school, don’t take that break yet. Before you close out the school year, take some time to write down everything your high school student did this past school year.

As a former teacher and current independent college counselor, I promise you that 30 minutes now will make life so much easier later when your teen is beginning their college applic...

How Your Teens Can Stay Connected to School in the Long Summer Months Ahead

The countdown to 8th grade is on the board in my Middle School classroom. Only days left until the end of the school year.

The hallways are filled with the smell of Axe Body Spray, sprayed a little thicker to cover up the sweat of the summer that is lingering around the corner. The shades are drawn a little lower to shield the blazing sun that glares through our glass windows. Shining way too brightly for teenage eyes.

The academic apathy is wrapped like a cloak around almost everyone. Sta...

The Real ‘What to Expect’ When Your Teen Comes Out as Transgender

When my oldest child was in ninth grade, I found a piece of paper labeled the “Gender Unicorn” in his backpack. Depending on where you live, you may be familiar with this piece of paper, or you may have no idea what I am talking about.  The Gender Unicorn is a picture of a unicorn with phrases like “Gender Identity,” “Gender Expression,” and “Physical Attraction” on it with an explanation of what those phrases mean. In any case, I found the paper, I mentioned it to my child (known to the world a...

11 Unique Thank You Gifts for Every Member of the Wedding Party

Credit: Mark & Graham / Papier

When planning a wedding, there’s a lot to think about, from the dress to the venue to the seating plan—and you’ve helped your teen every step of the way. Let us help take one thing off your plate with this guide to the very best wedding thank you gifts to thank anyone who has given some extra support for the big day (you included!). We’ve scoured the internet, queried our friends, and pulled from our own gift-giving expertise to put together our list of the mos...

4 Things No One Told Me Before My Oldest Applied to College

By all indicators, my son, Will and I were both as prepared as we could be for him to apply to college. He knew what he wanted to study, which made creating a list of choices easy. He also had the start to a compelling essay written.

While he focused on his ongoing science research and studying for classes, I made a spreadsheet that tracked due dates, requirements and if schools would accept his numerous AP credits. We toured schools, he narrowed the list and I paid the application fees as t...