Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 344

To My Teens: This Is What Parenting Looks Like And I’m Not Sorry

Listen you two, I know you detest being parented and I am so very utterly sorry, not sorry about that. I know you think you wish your dad and I would just checkout already and let you go about your merry, teenage way. But I know better.

One of my parents did checkout, and I promise you when that happens, it’s way, way worse than being parented. And I promise you that you will never have to know that first hand like I do. I will always bear the scars from the acute parental apathy and disregar...

Grown And Flown Exclusive: Excerpt from Dawn Davies’ Memoir, “Mothers of Sparta”

Grown and Flown is excited to share with you an excerpt from Dawn Davies’ latest book, Mothers of Sparta.  According to Amazon, “Mothers of Sparta is not a blow-by-blow of Davies’ life but rather an examination of the exquisite and often painful moments of a life, the moments we look back on and say, That one, that one mattered. Straddling the fence between humor and, well…not humor, Davies has written a book about what it’s like to try to carve a place for oneself in the world, no matter how...

This Is What Dorms Looked Like In The 80s And We Survived

I recently learned of a family that, when moving their daughter into her freshman dorm room, took two cars and a trailer to haul all of her belongings there. Two cars and a trailer!!

Now, maybe it’s because I have boys who are content with carrying around everything they own in a plastic grocery bag, but the sexes cannot be that much different when it comes to what you need to take to college with you, or can they? Maybe so, but if my late 80s memory serves me correctly (and I’m certain I ma...

Summer Style at Grown and Flown: Put Some Camo In Your Life

Note: G&F may receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links in this post but the opinions are our own.

We love hearing the breathless and exciting news that “Camo is Back!!!!!” Isn’t camo always in?

Camo can be a great focal point for summer style whether it’s just one pop in an all-white or all-black outfit (like a purse or shoes) or you’re building an outfit around an amazing pair of full-out pants, like these Re/done cargos or some Sanctuary crops.

My Father Abandoned Me As A Teen And It’s Made Me A Better Parent

During the school year, my wife and I start pushing for bedtime in the 9 o’clock hour. Depending on the homework situation and sports’ schedules, this goal may or may not be met. The nighttime rituals have changed as our boys and girl have grown, our teenage boy now comes to where I am most evenings to say goodnight; whereas, my daughter still demands a visit into her room, a boop on the nose, and her personal night time spell. The words have been the same for her since infancy: “Goodnight, s...

Four Ways to Parent Your Introverted Teen That Won’t Make Them Cringe

My son likes to talk. A lot. As a little boy he would talk to us for hours about his Legos and his Matchbox cars. As he grew older his interests changed, but his loquaciousness never diminished. I have been lectured on the specs of the newest iPhone, instructed on how to create viral YouTube videos, regaled with the latest antics of Casey Neistat, and updated on the most recent features introduced to Fortnite.

For so many years the house was never quiet if my son was around. And I think I too...

A Letter To My Son As He Begins To Step Away From Us

My dear son:

Today you begin to step away from us. As your dad and I fade into the background of your life I want to tell you it has been a privilege to have you as our son. You’ve brought joy to us in so many ways. Your spirit, your dedication, your integrity; all of that adds up to a future of great potential and great promise. A few things I want to impart in black and white because I think they are incredibly important for you to remember –

People are basically good.  A leader’s strength,...

Letting Go Of Your Teen Means Gaining So Much More

My first baby is 19 years old.

She just finished up her freshman year of college and is back home for the summer.

Clearly, she’s not a baby anymore. Technically, she’s not even a child anymore, even though she’ll always be my child, and she’ll always be a little bit my baby.

She’s a young adult, with her own life and her own schedule and her own job and her own habits and her own dreams.

According to post after post I’ve been seeing on social media lately, I’ve already burned through a lot of...

6 Helpful Tips To Keep Your Teen Safe When Using Ride Sharing Services

Each week the news headlines seem to bring parents yet another issue to worry about concerning our teens and young adults. With the recent report on sexual assaults committed by Uber drivers, we’ve added ride sharing safety to the list of topics we should be discussing with our kids.

A good number of teens aren’t in the habit of utilizing ride share services until they head off to college or on parent-free travel experiences after high school. For many parents, the thought of a child getting...

Why We Have A “Keep The Door Open” Policy With Our Teens And Their Partners

I am sitting on the couch remembering it all – the basement wall paneling, U2 blasting from a boom box, and yes, boys and girls making out. Where there are teenagers, there will always be making out. I normally don’t sit reminiscing about making out in high school, although marrying my junior high sweetheart does sometimes bring it back. But tonight, and every day lately, I am reliving the making out years, along with my teenage daughter. Let me explain by bringing you into my world.

I glance...