Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 297

Can We Talk About The Mom Cold, Please?

I know it’s a popular topic: The man cold and how pathetic and ridiculous men act when they have the sniffles and need a whole day (or a week) of lying on the sofa being taken care of, all because of a cold.

Moms of the world are kind of over the fact that while we are limping around barely alive, our husbands or partners are oblivious and wonder why the house is a mess and why we are heating up a frozen lasagna for dinner or telling them to fend for themselves and while they are at it, could...

I Have To Stop Doing Everything So My Teens Will Learn

All of my kids have chores to do around the house in order to earn their cell phones every month. The deal when they got their phones was that instead of getting an allowance, we’d pay for the service through a few chores they’d do daily and if they wanted to earn any extra money, they’d have to do extra chores, or get a job outside of the house when they were of age.

Now there are three of them and they often want extra money to get the latest sneakers, a new hoodie, or the latest gadget tha...

17 Iconic 80s Movies You Don’t Want Your Teens To Miss

Growing up in the 80s, movies always made a big impression on me. I had three siblings and we were a one-income family so the day my father came home with a VCR was huge.

We hardly went to the movies. We’d stay in and my mom would pop popcorn, or heat up a Salisbury steak TV dinner and pop in a movie.

Oh, and how exciting it was if a good one came on television–we made sure to hit the record button after inserting a blank tape. Over the years our collection of kick-butt movies grew and now th...

18 Iconic 80s Movies You Don’t Want Your Teens To Miss

Growing up in the 80s, movies always made a big impression on me. I had three siblings and we were a one-income family so the day my father came home with a VCR was huge.

We hardly went to the movies. We’d stay in and my mom would pop popcorn, or heat up a Salisbury steak TV dinner and pop in a movie.

Oh, and how exciting it was if a good one came on television–we made sure to hit the record button after inserting a blank tape. Over the years our collection of kick-butt movies grew and now th...

I’m a College Professor and I Didn’t Help My Teen With Her Applications

The environment itself will teach the child, if every error he makes is manifest to him without the intervention of a parent or teacher, who should remain a quiet observer of all that happens.”  Maria Montessori

I remember the day last year when my daughter called me from her high school college counselor’s office and screamed into the phone, “You’re not helping me!” This was quickly followed by a rant detailing how all of her friends were on the phone with their parents who were narrating la...

I’m a College Professor and I Didn’t Help My Teen With Her Applications. (Yes, I Was Scared)

The environment itself will teach the child, if every error he makes is manifest to him without the intervention of a parent or teacher, who should remain a quiet observer of all that happens.”  Maria Montessori

I remember the day last year when my daughter called me from her high school college counselor’s office and screamed into the phone, “You’re not helping me!” This was quickly followed by a rant detailing how all of her friends were on the phone with their parents who were narrating la...

I’m Already Missing Family Dinners with My College Bound Son

My hands operate by memory, pulling salt, thyme, garlic, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese out of cupboards and drawers and pouring them in a bowl. My mind and body relax as I follow the familiar steps of dredging pieces of chicken in olive oil and then plunging them into the breadcrumbs. Soon the smell of crispy chicken fills the kitchen as I line up toasted buns, pepperjack cheese, lettuce and sriracha mayo with the precision of an artist setting up a still life.

I’ve made this dish almost ev...

Everyone Needs a Best Friend To Help Them Survive Parenting Teens

I looked at the text from my best friend and immediately started laughing.

“I’m on a college visit and I just want you to know that we are in over our heads. Did you know dorm rooms have granite countertops now?”

She proceeded to tell me that she felt like she was living that nightmare when you show up to school in your underwear and everyone is laughing at you: that she was caught so completely unaware by everything a parent has to do and remember when it comes to helping your kid actually m...

Want to Take a Great Graduation Photo? Here’s How

Whether they take place at preschools, high schools, or colleges, all commencements are high-stakes occasions for graduates and the amateur photographers who love them. There are countless ways for a graduation photo to go wrong. Indoor ceremonies mean dim lighting and grainy photos. Outdoor ceremonies mean variable weather conditions and unexpected shadows. Nearly all ceremonies feature a chasm between graduates and their celebrants, often filled with at least one celebrant blocking the view...

Remember When You Had Your Whole Life Ahead of You?

“Remember when you had your whole life ahead of you?”

My friend asked me this a few months ago after hearing about my 23-year-old daughter’s Disney Internship at Epcot where she’ll be working with the marine mammals; a job that combines her two favorite things in the world and is a dream come true for her… and for her 10-year-old self.

“No, not really,” I replied, trying to think back to a time when I had dreams that didn’t consist of a clean house, a night with actual sleep, and energy. I th...