Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 8

Living in the Leaving Period: Life After Graduation

Editor’s Note: Bestselling author Annabel Monaghan wrote this piece for Grown and Flown when her eldest was about to graduate from high school. We love it now every bit as much as we did then; we know you will, too. 

A year ago, a friend of mine whose child had just graduated from high school suggested I write an article about this big milestone. I thought about it and decided to wait. It would have been like writing a guidebook about Paris based on internet research, without actually going th...

How Can Teenagers Know Everything and Nothing?

Teenagers fool us with their size, vocabulary, and swift mastery of new devices. They seem to be about the right shape to fit into the adult world. They drive cars. They know algebra. So it’s always momentarily shocking to find out that they don’t know how to address an envelope or operate a can opener.

Teenagers know so much and so little at the same time. (Annabel Monaghan)Teens know it all!

My kids are the only people in my house who are as smart as my smart TV. I honestly have to enlist the...

The 47 Best High School Graduation Gifts of 2025

Credit: Kendra Scott/Amazon

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The time has finally come for your high schooler to graduate. Congratulations! To reward them for all their accomplishments, it’s nice to give them something special aside from cash (which is always the number one gift every year). We were stumped for ideas for the best high school graduation gifts, so we r...

Six Alternatives to an Over-the-Top, Expensive Graduation Party (2025)

I’m trying to remember how we marked the occasion of my high school graduation, and I can’t. Maybe it’s because there wasn’t a big, overblown celebration, but more realistically, it was over 30 years ago. Either way, I’m drawing a blank.

If you aren’t up for an outrageous graduation party, we have some low-key alternatives. (Arina P Habich/Shutterstock)

Because I’m not talking about the adorable little low-key inexpensive graduation party with family and close friends in the backyard with g...

“You’re Gonna Miss This” and 17 Other Favorite Graduation Songs for 2025

It’s graduation season and time to celebrate with graduation parties and every party needs a soundtrack. Teens are proud of their accomplishments and parents are a mixed ball of emotions.

While the soundtrack of high school graduation songs might be Pomo and Circumstance, if you are looking for graduation songs for a playlist for that end of an era video or graduation party, think more in terms of Green Day, Rascal Flats or Taylor Swift.

These graduation songs are the tune and lyrics to th...

8 Ways We Can Help Our College Students During Uncertain Times

Life is decidedly unfair. Five years ago, your child (and you!) faced the social and educational upheavals of the pandemic. Now those college-bound students confront a higher education landscape thrown into uncertainty by actions of a new federal administration. 

Students may feel unsettled and wonder what their college experience will look like. Here is how parents can support them. (Shutterstock Halfpoint)

Funding for medical and scientific research has been drastically cut; some universi...

Best Graduation Party Ideas: 10 Things Not to Forget (2025)

My husband and I refer to our firstborn as our “learner child”: we figure some things out on her and make (slightly) fewer mistakes with her younger sister.

Here are practical tips you didn’t know you needed for the best high school graduation party ever. (emilyyya/Shutterstock)

Case in point: our older daughter’s high school graduation party a few years ago. With the 20/20 vision of hindsight, here’s what I now know I needed…that I didn’t know I needed then… you can bet I’ll be rounding up...

Must-Have Decorations For an Easy and Inexpensive Graduation Party 2025

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We are gearing up to celebrate my son and his high school graduation. His father will be hosting a small outdoor party after his commencement ceremony in his backyard, and we wanted to make it as memorable as possible. After all, graduation represents years of hard work, and we want our graduation celebration with friends and family members to...

28 Best Graduation Party Ideas 2025: How to Celebrate [step-by-step]

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High school graduation is much more than a ceremonial walk across a stage. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that deserves a celebration of your son or daughter’s accomplishments. 

Outdoor grad parties can be casual ways to celebrate. (Shutterstock Jabo200)High school graduation party ideas

Before making a single decision about a par...

Best Tips for Graduation Party Decorations, Food, and More 2025

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We asked our community of nearly 300,000 parents for some of their best ideas for graduation party decorations and they gave us this treasure trove of tips. From deciding on a color scheme to what refreshments to serve, these super-creative ideas can be scaled for small gatherings or enormous, multi-family open house parties with large guest lis...