If you’re a parent who has a senior, you know that senior year has just started but you may already feel overwhelmed. Not only is it a year packed with emotions and changes, but your senior may also feel like changes are hurtling toward them at light speed. It can be really challenging to navigate the months ahead, but there are lots of ways that you can both stay connected and yes, even love each other better! Here are our best tips for supporting your high school senior:
-Don’t push, nag, or dismiss emotions: Because there are so many things happening and stress can feel heightened, it can feel tempting to want to nag and cajole your senior into making sure all of those things get done. While some encouragement is healthy, nagging high schoolers tends to make them want to drag their feet more. Instead, set up better systems for accountability, like checklists, or an app like Trello that helps them see what they need to get done. Check in with them occasionally but try to let them begin learning how to manage their own time.
-Take time to stay connected: It’s important to recognize just how fast senior year moves, and how much you will miss your sweet student when they leave the nest. Even if your senior isn’t attending college far away, likely they will be moving onto their own pursuits as they wrap up their high school careers. Remember to squeeze in memory making moments, like going to a concert they love, taking them on a late-night ice cream run, or surprising them with a little extra gas or clothes money. Leave them notes or send them kind texts…they may act like it’s not a big deal, but it means the world.
-Give them space and schedule margin for breaks: Senior year is filled with more demanding homework and assignments. If you have a student who is typically on top of homework and classwork who asks for a break or a day off, respect their need to help their mental health and rest when needed. Burnout can happen quickly, even to students, and it’s essential to foster autonomy when you can and when it’s helpful. It’s okay to communicate with coaches and teachers if your student needs an occasional break. Schedule unplugged, family days together too.
-Let go of your own expectations: It can feel like a big responsibility to get your student through senior year successfully, but the reality is that it’s a team effort. Your amazing student can do more than you give them credit for, and you will figure out the balance between expectations and offering support. Remember that your role is support and cheerleaders, and only as a “correct-course” when needed. For seniors who are heading off to college, this is a safe practice run on learning to manage their own time and responsibilities without your supervision!
