Senior year…it's almost over and the world awaits! If you're a parent, you may be feeling overwhelmed with everything you and your child has to do! As a parent, you want to give your child the best information and support you can. While every child is different, here is some helpful advice for high school seniors that you can share with your kiddo.
Senior year can be a stressful time of year. If your child is college bound, there are college applications, ACT tests, college visits and more! If your child is planning on working, there are decisions to be made about what they want to do, the best place to work, the best place to live (if they don't want to stay at home) and more. And if your child is going to a trade school, you'll be doing many of the same things you'd do if your child was college bound (i.e. visits, applications, etc).
It doesn't matter if your senior is ready to go off into the world, it's still going to be a big adjustment…for you and for them! It's a time of great change…with a lot of laughter and quite a few tears as well. It can be stressful for both parents and their children. The more prepared they are when they graduate from high school, the better their chances are of succeeding as they navigate college and work.
Remember the Importance of “Real Life Education”
Life after high school is often about new experiences and not all of them take place in the classroom. In order to help your high school senior be as prepared for the real world as possible, do all you can to ensure they're ready for life inside and outside of the classroom.
Advice For High School Seniors
Your relationships will change, no matter who they're with.
Most seniors won't want to hear this and they probably won't believe you, but it's important to tell them anyway. Life is stressful enough without them wondering why their friendships and relationships seem different. As people grow, change, and move away, their relationships can't help but change. Sometimes these relationships will change for the better…and sometimes you'll find yourself drifting apart.
You will always have my support — no matter what direction life takes.
When your child graduates from high school, they'll want to stretch their wings and try making decisions on their own. Some of these will be good decisions. Some of them will be not-so-good decisions!
Let them know that while your love for them does not depend on their good choices, you hope they'll make good choices anyway.
Parenting tip: Don't make your children's choices about you. Allow them to spread their wings and make choices without worrying about how it reflects on you!
Here's what you need to know about money, alcohol, drugs, sex, and other serious matters…
Hopefully you've been talking about money, alcohol, sex, drugs and other important issues for years, but if you've put off some of these more awkward conversations, it's time to get busy! I know that talking about money, alcohol, drugs, and sex can be awkward, but it's worth it to know that your child has the info they need to be well-prepared for life.
Awkward conversations abound at our house. I regularly tell my kids that they can ask me anything. I want them to come to me with all their awkward questions. I'd prefer that I be the source of their info on the more important subjects of life.
Money doesn't grow on trees!
Make sure your child understands the importance of budgeting and spending their money wisely. If you're helping your kids financially, give them an agreed upon amount and don't be quick to bail them out when they make mistakes. Often times, the best lessons are learned through hardship. {I know that's hard to watch as parents, but bailing them out too often can lead them to believe their actions don't have repercussions and that spending outside of their means isn't a big deal.}
This 52 Week Savings Challenge Printable is a great way to encourage your child to start saving. And if money management isn't their thing, send them these How To Save Money Tips For People Who Stink at Saving Money!
There are many roads that lead to success!
Your child may think that college is the only path to success or they make thing that attending college ensures their success when that couldn't be further from the truth. There are so many choices available after high school today and so the experience will be different for each person.
Your child's personality, their proximity to home, and many other factors can determine their experience.
The influence you have over your child throughout their senior year in high school will change when they go off to college. Understand that even the best parenting doesn't always save a child from challenges. You can prepare your child for life, but then it's up to them.
The Value of Education in Today's World
Education is becoming more and more valuable with each passing year, but remember that education and college are not synonymous. Technology is changing the way things are done. People who have a strong work ethic and who make education (classes, personal development, etc) a priority are generally the ones who see the most success. It can be hard to get a high school senior to take the future seriously, but imparting good information is vital.
Your child's first few years out of high school will most likely be a time of trial and error. Some people are ready for college right out of high school, and some aren't. If your child isn't ready and doesn't perform well or decides to work for a few years to figure out what they want to do, don't despair. They can always attend college at a later date and do just fine.
In short, don't assume that your child will perform exactly the way you expect; all you can do is give the best information and support you have to offer. Keep in mind that your young adult is an individual and will have to find his or her own way. The life experienced in college and beyond is up to them!
Pin This Advice for High School Seniors for Later
I originally wrote this advice for high school seniors post in April 2016 before my 2nd daughter graduated from high school. I now have 3 kiddos out of the house and they've all pursued vastly different things. One oldest daughter went to cosmetology school, our 2nd daughter graduated from college with a degree in Sports Management and our 3rd daughter chose to skip college and got a great job right out of high school.
