To the Parents of the Class of 2024

To the parents of the class of 2024, welcome to your teen’s final year of high school! This can be a very overwhelming and stressful year for both you and your teen, but remember you are not alone. This is also a year full of celebrations so be sure to take in every moment as it tends to go by fast. My goal is to help you find the joy in every minute of your day and dial down the stress that you will experience.

The senior year, whether it is your first experience with a senior and/or the last, is full of many emotions; for the parent and also the teen. As a parent it may be difficult to keep yourself together as the nostalgic feelings come up but remember that your child has an exciting life ahead of them and they need a role model in order to navigate this transition smoothly, they need to believe that they have something to look forward to. Think of this as a beginning, not an end.

I feel one of the biggest responsibilities we have as parents is to teach our children how to be independent. It is what we teach our children to do on their own that is the most rewarding part of parenting. But with that comes a great deal of anxiety and sleepless nights. We have all heard those stories of college students who “let loose” because they have experienced freedom for the first time and oftentimes get themselves into situations that could have been avoided. It is important to let your teen experience what independence is like before they leave the house. How will they make good decisions in college if they never really had the chance to make any decisions, whether they are good or bad, beforehand?

We all know that senior year is very stressful! When you, or your teen, are feeling pressure it is important to remember to put everything in perspective. What is this stressful event going to mean in a day, week, month, or year? The answer to this is probably ‘not much;’ always try to put things in perspective for both you and your teen. This will really help you get through those stressful times.

The hardest part of having a senior in high school is allowing them to make decisions on their own. As a parent, this is the time to sit back and encourage your teen by using guiding questions. But remember the choice is ultimately your teens, not yours. Be there to support them and encourage them to think through all the options. When it comes to big decisions, have them sleep on it first in order to feel comfortable and confident in making a decision.

One of the best ways you can enjoy this time is by being prepared and knowing what to expect. My hope is to help you navigate the senior year, the world of college applications, and lessen the burden of paying for college. If you would like some help in these areas, reach out to me at info@atozeducationalconsulting.com or 612.735.1261.