Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 320

I Have The “Do As I Say And Not As I Did” Sex Talk With My Teens

I walked into the pharmacy to buy my first box of condoms in about 20 years. I walked down the aisle and started reading the boxes.

“Ribbed for her pleasure.” Out.

“Ultrathin.” Absolutely out!! 

Where was the box that said, “Think twice” or “Are you sure?” or “Call your mom first”?

I picked the plainest box of condoms I could find, without the word pleasure on it.  This got me thinking about a niche. Condoms by moms, with sayings, and skulls and crossbones, and warning signs.  Maybe some pic...

Ten Things I Should Have Taught My College Kids BEFORE They Left Home

“But, mom!” the living-back-at-home daughter protested. “You have to TELL me these things.”

These things include, but are not limited to, extracting long strands of brown wavy hair from the bathroom drain. Curbing her ten-dollar-a-day grapes habit, or at the very least, replacing said fruit. Completing a cycle of laundry before the mother comes along with the next three loads and angrily folds what has been left in the dryer, because, contrary to popular belief, she’s not mean enough to throw...

Is It Menopause or Empty Nest Syndrome? (The Answer is Probably Yes)

Six months ago, after having my hormone levels checked, my doctor declared me officially in menopause. The fact that he said he wouldn’t be surprised if I walked across the room and ashes fell out of my pants was all I needed to hear to throw out all my tampons, eat a cheesecake, and do a happy dance around my house —keeping an eye on the floor for ash fallout, obviously.

Ironically, the symptoms I’d been having weren’t unlike the ones that had plagued me four years earlier when my older daug...

I Love The Friendships I’m Developing With My Teens

My 18-year-old plops down on the couch beside me, slips her arm through mine, and rests her head on my shoulder. It’s a familiar moment, one that’s played out in various ways over the years. I can tell by her body language and energy that she’s not feeling distressed today—she just wants to connect with me. And I am grateful.

She might sit there for a bit before telling me about something that happened during her day. I might show her a silly animal video that came through my Facebook feed. S...

What Happened After I Re-Adopted the Daughter I Gave Up as a Newborn

Falling aspen leaves draped the sidewalks in brilliant yellows, while my daughter and I browsed clothing stores and talked about boys at our favorite mountain town coffee shop. As the two of us sipped across from the one another, I reflected on how far we’ve come.

At one point, we were practically strangers. It was only three years ago that we’d adopted her into our family. I’d been optimistic that a connection between the two of us would be automatic, even natural.

After all, I’m not only he...

What Moms Need In a Friendship as We Grow Older

Nearing midlife seems to hold so many changes; changes I know I wasn’t ready for the same way I was ready to start my career, get married, and have kids.

To me, those changes felt inviting, they’d sucked me in and had a way of leading me blindly down the path. For the most part I didn’t know what to expect but deep down I was able to go with it because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. So, I just went.

At least that was my experience.

I wasn’t afraid of things; of life, I was ready and anxiou...

To the Mom With a Teen Who Just Doesn’t Seem to Care

I watched my son walk to my car last Friday after school. I love picking him up; there’s something about seeing him with his friends and the visceral relief you see in their smiles.

It’s nostalgic since I remember feeling the same way, but what I love even more is watching him and seeing him in a space that’s different than the one he’s in when he’s with me when he doesn’t think I’m paying attention.

As he gets closer I notice there is something smeared all over his white T-shirt. I have no i...

Being a Parent Volunteer in High School is Exhausting

When my son was in kindergarten, I couldn’t wait to attend my first PTA meeting. I carefully added the date to my calendar, arranged for a sitter and even put on a little makeup for the first meeting. I was excited to volunteer at my son’s school and to meet other moms since I was new to the area.

As I walked into the meeting, I smiled at a woman as I signed in and looked for a place to sit.

She smiled smugly, “You’re new here, aren’t you?”

When I enthusiastically said yes, she laughed and sa...

The Dog I Never Wanted Is Helping Me Survive The Teen Years

As a kid, I would cross the street to avoid people walking their pups. Or if I was close enough to home, I’d make a lame excuse to pop inside until the scary beast with claws and sharp teeth was safely out of range.

Even as I got older, I never much cared for canines, with their jumping up, shedding and barking. Plus, they would dig up the yard, track dirt everywhere, tear up the furniture and add to our bills — my kids already have that covered, thank you!

When I met my husband, I knew he lo...

The Real Way Teens Should Respond on Their College Essays

I am currently helping my daughter work on her college applications. Maybe it’s because she is my third child to go through this process (and there’s still one more kid to go). Maybe it’s because, as a high school teacher, I helped countless other teenagers with their college essays. Or maybe it’s just because I am getting older, and I no longer have patience with the ridiculous.

But the fact is, the college application process is ridiculous—in particular the essays. Our children are being as...