Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 89

The Day I Thought My Adult Child Would Take His Own Life

Warning: This story contains depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation content. The email started like this; I think I need help. Serious help. I look at myself in the mirror and hate what I see. I hear my voice, and I hate it. I often feel like I want to die. He was always a little…

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My 19-Year-Old Deployed to Iraq: This Is What I Learned

My son left for Air Force Basic Training the summer after high school graduation. In the next year, he completed his training, was assigned to a unit, and deployed to Iraq.  He had barely turned 19 when I said goodbye and sent him literally halfway across the world. My mama-brain processed all those changes at one…

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This Has Been a Kinder Gentler Year to Start College

My second and youngest child went off to college last month. She’s having a great experience — she likes her roommate, has made new friends, joined a club, enjoys her classes, and seems to be working hard on her homework. She went out on the quad with a bunch of people one night last week…

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Former Stanford Academic Coach: How to Help an Overwhelmed Student

The sound of the overwhelmed college student takes many forms. Sometimes it’s a high-pitched dog whistle noise that only we, parents, can hear through their “it’s all good” toss-offs. Sometimes it’s a more throaty sobbing through which their words are barely discernible. Sometimes it’s total silence. Whatever sound comes through, your child’s distress creates yet…

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The 18 Best Backpacks for High School Girls and College Women (2022)

Every teen or young woman needs a good school backpack that helps keep her organized, is sturdy enough to hold heavy textbooks, keeps her laptop cushioned with extra padding and is designed for comfort.  Even though it is an everyday essential, there is no reason that it has to be ordinary. With endless options, it’s…

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22 Best Ideas for College Graduation Gifts for 2022-23 Grads

College graduation is one of life’s happiest and most exciting milestones, but possibly one of the hardest to find an appropriate gift. The gifts we get our young adults and their friends will vary according to the kids themselves, but rest assured here are things that everyone would be thrilled to receive. Here are some…

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Loving My Messy Couch: Picture Perfect Is Just an Illusion

Once upon a time, our family room couch looked like a Pottery Barn catalog. The leather was glossy and smooth to the touch, with faux fur blankets and matching throw pillows strewn about. I vowed to keep our picture-perfect couch pristine when my kids came along. How hard could that be? Rules of no eating…

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I Began to Finally Listen to My Son When He Struggled With Mental Health

My phone pinged one day, and I was surprised to see it was from a friend of my high school daughters. “Mrs. Cain — I think I have bad ADHD, but my parents just think I’m not behaving or doing my best. What should I do?” I stood, breathless, staring at the words on my…

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Empty Nester Diary: How a Single Mom Makes Peace With the Quiet

Day One 7:00 pm: I return home from dropping my youngest at college to two hungry cats and a piece of leftover chicken parmesan my son made the night before we left. It is especially delicious, washed down with a glass of Montepulciano wine. It is so quiet. I spend too much time deciding on my next binge-watch,…

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5 Things NOT to Get Stressed About During Senior Year

It’s all so completely overwhelming. There you are, just cruising through the high school years, when BAM! You get a letter from the school’s “senior picture photography studio” over the summer with the date for your child’s SENIOR PICTURE. What? A senior picture? But I don’t have a senior yet! Oh, but you do. Because…

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