Buckle Up- Carpool is an Adventure

I was driving around the other day when it hit me. I miss carpool. Ten years ago I would have laughed if you told me I would miss it. The constant dashing around, rushing to get out the door because we didn’t want to make others late. Some days being dressed in the...

Teenagers

Dec 2019 26

Parenting Teenagers Means Finding Hope in Little Moments

By Kelly Richardson | Parenting, Teenagers | 4 Comments

As parents, we never know. We don’t know if we are doing our job correctly as a parent--raising responsible and kind young people to gift to the world when we launch them into adulthood. We don’t know if our kids feel connected to us, that we have done enough to be...

Oct 2019 8

What We Learned Working A High School Dance

By Kelly Richardson | Parenting, Teenagers | 5 Comments

One night can teach a lot. Because our daughters are in leadership, my dear friend Lisa and I volunteered this past weekend to work the high school homecoming dance selling waters. We were the hydration station and we had a prime spot to soak in the night. We saw...

Aug 2019 27

Growing Up, One Last at a Time

By Kelly Richardson | Loss and Grief, Parenting, Teenagers | 4 Comments

“At some point in your childhood, you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time, and nobody knew it”. My oldest son grew up with friends like the boys from the movie "The Sandlot". They started kindergarten together and they were a force to...

Jun 2019 25

One Word… Bittersweet

By Kelly Richardson | Loss and Grief, Parenting, Teenagers | 5 Comments

Yesterday we dropped my sweet middle child off at college. He has a new home now and it’s a milestone in his life for sure. And in mine. It's the day I have dreamed of and the day I have dreaded all wrapped up in one big good-bye hug. My heart is washed over...

Jun 2019 14

An Open Letter to Brandy Melville

By Kelly Richardson | Just Doing Life, Teenagers | 18 Comments

Dear Brandy Melville, I have a beef with you. If I’m being honest, I think you suck. Sure, some of your clothes are cute and probably comfortable, but I abhor what you stand for. You represent the opposite of everything I work on daily with teenage girls in my...

May 2019 29

Dear High School Graduate

By Kelly Richardson | Parenting, Teenagers | 0 Comments

Dear High School Graduate, How can it be that just four short years ago I was writing to you as you entered high school? I gave you advice such as stay organized, be involved with school activities and ask for help when you needed it. I encouraged you to get to...

May 2019 24

As Her Brother Takes A Step Into His New Life, She Will Take A Step Into Hers

By Kelly Richardson | Loss and Grief, Parenting, Teenagers | 5 Comments

It’s official. In exactly one month from today we drop my middle off at college. He leaves home, launches into adulthood, and spread his wings. Time to fly, Baby. While I sit and ponder, or if I’m being honest wallow, this change I have dreaded for 18 years, I am...

Feb 2019 26

The Older Your Child Gets, The Closer the Goodbye Becomes

By Kelly Richardson | Just Doing Life, Parenting, Teenagers | 5 Comments

I remember the first day of kindergarten. I remember how far away your senior year in high school seemed and how unimaginable it was that one day you would be leaving me. I once heard the older your child gets, the closer the goodbye becomes… and it’s so painfully...

Feb 2019 8

Is your Teenager Taking Care of The Big Three?

By Kelly Richardson | Parenting, Teenagers | 2 Comments

A teenager’s eyes tell all. As parents, we take one glance and it’s written all over their face. We know when something is wrong and when they aren’t their best. We immediately start guessing, decoding or deciphering what’s happening and more importantly, we want...