For many of us, this year’s first day of school will also be the last “first day” of school. (Cue tears) The year ahead is sure to be filled with milestones, challenges, and unforgettable moments as our children embark on their final year of high school.
To help navigate this bittersweet time, we've gathered advice from parents who have been there. From college applications to making the most of senior year, their insights will help you savor each moment.
On navigating the year:
It’s the time to let them make their own decisions on some things, even if you may not always agree with them. Feel confident that you have given them the tools they will need to make these decisions. - Sandra L.
Let your senior take the reigns in navigating the college admission process; expect some fouling of the nest and try not to take it personally; senior year is a time to reap what they have sown, and they should enjoy their bounteous harvest, but college will be a time of sowing new seeds, hard work again. - Susan C.
Senior year is busy! College applications, exams, lots of “last” events. Where you can control the schedule, build in time for your kid to decompress. For example, we didn’t try to fit in any busy vacations this year, and instead opted for things that were more relaxed. - Amber B.
On helping your child cope with the pressures and expectations of the year:
We talked nightly during family dinner, had an open door policy with his friends and tried to give him as much responsibility as he could handle. - Debbie R.
If they were beginning to get overly stressed sometimes I would tell them that they were allowed to say no to social activities when they were too tired and that they could blame it on their mom. This would help them to save face if they didn't show up to every single birthday party, or movie night etc. - Tina R.
On celebrating milestones and achievements:
We had a big party in the yard for graduation and always did something special for birthdays. I would decorate my car and pick him up from school to have a mental health day prior to covid and just go to lunch or something. I feel that getting good grades and doing your best in school is your job, and doing chores and such is just part of being in a family and I did my best to instill that in him. - Debbie R.
We always validated and celebrated any small successes. We tried to add lots of humor. Good grades were expected as long as our children were doing their very best. One time we even celebrated a child who got a D instead of an F on a very difficult math test. Lol - Tina P.
Additional words of wisdom:
Take the time to talk to them about things they like. Make time to do things together weekly. Watch their favorite show with them, play their favorite video game with them, do your best to keep the lines of communication open and try to do it honestly. We are all just learning, so why not do it together? - Debbie R.
Don't stop playing with them even when they are teens! Get in the pool, lake, swing set, on the bike, gym etc!! Even when they act embarrassed to be seen with you. Don't make expectations of grades such a priority that your child feels that is the only way they can be successful in your eyes. If you have a child who is very bright, have high expectations, sure. But also balance your conversations. Who you are as a person and how you treat other people is most important. - Tina P.
I think it’s important to remember that sometimes your child’s next step will be very different from everyone else’s next step – and that’s ok. - Elesha M.
