Preparing for Summer

There’s a lot between now and summer!

From school to holidays to family-time…

It seems like I was just writing about Spring Break, but the calendar says that was weeks ago. Pheww…

Let’s set our minds to enjoy the ride of what may be the last month of high school for a lot of teens and for the mamas who love their seniors. Enjoying the ride toward the end of the school year is good for every teen and mama’s mindset. Just ask - I’ve seen the difference it can make SO many times. It’s good to end the year on a high note : )

So how about this for a mantra or an affirmation, “Today is a great day. I will make good things happen for me and the people around me.”

At the beginning of May, it’s time to size things up and get organized when it comes to all things school. Ask your teen about major assignments like end of semester projects. Are they turned in or in progress? What about a grade check? Is your teen passing, failing, or barely on the edge? Remember to think about outside of normal requirements that need to be met before graduation, too. Consider ALL of these questions no matter if your child is in middle school, high school, or college.

While mamas want their teens to succeed, “senior-itis” may sneak in. It’s time for your teen to be motivated. Be aware but also know that this person is a young adult. If some assignments are missed, your teen may learn valuable lessons. I would suggest stepping in for major misses unless you know your teen just needs a little more time to grow up.

As much as possible, let your teen lead. Let your son make decisions for himself and suffer consequences. As a mama, you do that every day. Your daughter needs to practice making decisions, too. Good decisions come from practice.

As graduation approaches, have your teen address his or her own announcements. Though snail mail is less common than it used to be, you might be amazed at the number of teens who do not know how to write an address in the correct format. Having proctored more than one ACT session, there is always at least one teen who does not know his home address.

When it comes to thank you notes, make sure your teen knows how to write those, too. Many job sites share that a “thank you note” after an interview is what makes the difference in being hired. It’s good for your teen to make a note on the back of cards as they are received for graduation (especially at graduation parties!), and it’s also good for your teen to take notes during and/or after an interview so he/she has relevant information to include in the thank you message.

When graduation comes, celebrate. The average high school graduation rate is 87% according to most sources online. Encourage your teen to accomplish this important milestone. Blues artist B.B. King didn’t graduate from high school but that didn’t stop him from knowing what it was to learn. He’s credited with saying, “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

During the middle of the month, celebrate yourself. Mother’s Day honors moms and the love they have for their children. Practice some self-care even if it’s a much-deserved nap. Take the time to reach out to a friend. While a lot of your life is tied up in your teens, you need friends as well because being a mama means more than raising your children.

As the month progresses, keep your upbeat attitude and repeat your positive mantra each morning. If you want to add another booster, here’s what actress Sandra Bullock says, “You have to dance a little bit before you step out into the world each day because it changes the way you walk.” Dance and laugh with your teens. Teach them a dance step or ask them to teach you one. Singing together is just as great.

All the while, pay attention to upcoming deadlines. The word deadline sounds ominous, but they’re SO important no matter if it’s a college application or summer scholarship. Hopefully your senior has already applied for college or that job or internship, but if not, meet the deadlines. The same for scholarships. Younger teens may have enrollment deadlines for next year. You can offer reminders but encourage your teens to be accountable.

If May is the end of the school year for your child , make sure book lists for honors English classes are in hand and any other assignments that are to be completed over the summer. Learning doesn’t end just because school isn’t in session. That’s why I’ll be hosting a FREE summer learning resource event in June! Reach out for more info : )

Seniors don’t suddenly become all-knowing (even if they think so). But it’s reasonable to ask seniors and younger teens to take baby steps toward maturity every day. Cooking, laundry, returning books to the library on time, and other chores are ways they can show growth during May and beyond.

Another rite of passage from season to season is going through clothes. As summer is nearly here, it’s time to declutter. Are there clothes from your closet that might work for interview wear for your teen? Maybe there are clothes that just don’t fit anymore... Have your teen check her closet as well. High school t-shirts might go to younger siblings or friends. Did colleges send free shirts? If your child isn’t attending, they can go. When the school year is frenzied, it’s nice to have a spare shirt when laundry doesn't happen, so don’t go nuclear, but get rid of the things that can be rid of. Teach your teen the value of giving to others by donating to a local charity.

Near the end of May is Memorial Day. Many families honor those who have passed whether or not they served. It’s also the unofficial start to summer. No matter if your child’s school ends before or after Memorial Day, use the holiday as an opportunity to reach out to those in your family. Families are often less connected today. Through family and friends, you may be able to connect your teen to someone who knows about the career your teen hopes to follow. Or, use that trip to the lake to find a cousin who loves s’mores as much as you!

Remember this as May starts and the school year winds down: this school year may have been great (I hope it was), but maybe it could have been better; learn from mistakes and look forward to what can be.

Author Patrick Ness has it right when he says, “Everything’s always ending. But everything’s always beginning, too.”

Celebrate the wins from the 2024-2025 school year and look forward with a positive mindset to what’s ahead. Congratulations to each and every one of you and each of your children for the accomplishments you made this year.