Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 449

Your 20-Something Kid Has a Significant Other: Now What?

The fact of the matter is, you can never fully understand the romantic relationships of your 20-something kid. The way they engage in love has changed so radically, it’s hard for parents to make sense of it, much less accept it.

Recently a close friend of mine told this story to me. His youngest son (age 20) announced he was bringing a girl home for part of holiday break from school in December. The dad, who had not met the young lady, said to me “ I’m so happy for my son…. I’m going to give...

College Kids Home for the Holidays: G&F in The New York Times

Here is the fantasy: After months of missing our college kids we eagerly await their return for Thanksgiving. In our dreams we spend cozy hours in the kitchen listening to them recount their experiences and marveling at the newly mature teen who sits before us. Our kids have looked forward to these days of rest and reunion and are thrilled to come home to the embrace of their families. Food will be abundant and family time sacred.

Here is the reality: One of my college sons gets a ride home...

Thanksgiving Break: Put This on Top of Your To-Do List

Thanksgiving break: two words that make most parents sit up and look alert for the first time in months. A long weekend (or if you’re lucky, a full week) for your heart to once again feel whole. A moment—or twenty—to grab your baby girl or boy and give them the never-ending hug you’ve been feeling and planning in your mind since you dropped them off, all those giant red X-ed calendar squares ago.

You see, this isn’t my first time to this rodeo. My daughter is a sophomore. I’ve lived the whol...

Top Tips from College Counselors For High School Students

It’s not easy being a College Guidance counselor. They are caught in the cross winds between helping hundreds of kids find the right spot for the next stage in their lives, keeping their parents calm and trying to stay currentwith the ever-changing college admissions landscape.

Parents and students may come into the college process with plenty of preconceived notions but it ishigh school advisors who live this every day and are the experts. We gathered advice for high school juniors and senio...

The Extracurricular Activity My Son Discovered in a Boat

The other day, as my younger son and I exchanged places in the car so that he could drive home from school – our daily ritual in the run-up to getting his license, he said to me, “Oh and mom, I have an extracurricular for my college applications.”

“Great!” I responded. “What is it?” I wondered if he had decided to join the school newspaper, or perhaps the community service club, or maybe Model U.N.

“I’ve founded a fishing club.”

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I couldn’t have been happier. But flash back four years to when...

7 Things to Say After Your Teen Submits a College Application

College applications are the towering wall that stands between high school seniors and the next stage in their lives. The applications reflect years of hard work and pushing the “send” button is truly an accomplishment.

The day high school seniors submit a college application is not just another day in their lives. It is a frightening and exhilarating moment, no matter how long they have spent in preparation. One last look? Are you sure? You double checked that it’s all there? Go ahead, you h...

Finding a Therapist for Your College Student: What Parents Need to Know

Come November, the days are short, the college workload is heavy, and the end-of-semester finish line seems awfully far away. Not surprisingly, some students find themselves looking for more support than their parents or friends can provide. If your son or daughter needs to locate a therapist, these questions might arise.

How do I find a provider?

College counseling centers are staffed by well-trained, seasoned clinicians who are excellent at supporting undergrads. If your student is facing...

How to Help When Your College Student is Sick

Getting sick at home is bad enough, but getting sick at college — without a stocked refrigerator and medicine cabinet, a familiar doctor and family members to help — is even worse. And sickness can have very real costs for students’ grades.

“The American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment revealed that in Spring 2015, 15 percent of students reported that in the past 12 months a cold, flu and sore throat negatively impacted their individual academic performance,”...

2015 Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for College Kids and Teens

Now may be the very best time to dive into holiday shopping. Pour yourself a cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and log into your computer today, well before shopping anxiety starts to erode your festive spirit.

We asked our kids what they thought their classmates and friends would love to see under the tree and they suggested these gift ideas for the high school, college kids and young adults in your life. Here is our list for 2015, filled with lots of intriguing selections that were not even...

Best Holiday Gift Ideas for College Kids and Teens

Now may be the very best time to dive into holiday shopping. Pour yourself a cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and log into your computer today, well before shopping anxiety starts to erode your festive spirit.

We asked our kids what they thought their classmates and friends would love to see under the tree and they suggested these gift ideas for the high school, college kids and young adults in your life. Here is our list for 2015, filled with lots of intriguing selections that were not even...