What's Next?

What’s Next?

It is that time of year again. That’s right, graduation! Many are so excited to be done with school! They feel accomplished and ready to move on. They have plans for a bright future! The last few years seem like a blur to parents. Their baby has grown up and is moving on to the next phase in life.

How can we support these newly graduated students? We can offer support, advise, suggestions, a listening ear and so much more. What do we do when these young adults now feel like the now know everything about life, other then laugh and roll our eyes? Are they going to mess up? Yes! Do we help? Yes.

Some parents feel that once their child reaches eighteen their “job” as a parent is done. I hate to break it to you. Your “job” as a parent is never done. Your child will always be your child. Just because they hit this magic number of eighteen doesn’t mean they are grown up. They still have things to learn, and they need to learn from someone, so why not you?

Then there are the young adults who have graduated, barely! What about them? Well, they still need to learn to be an adult. They need help learning life skills, like finding a job, getting an apartment, managing their money and all the other “fun” things that come with being an adult.

Whether your child goes on to college or not they still need to learn how to do this thing called being an adult. They need to learn how to pay bills, manage their money, find a job, make good choices. They may not come and ask you as their parent for help, but they need it. They may try to figure it out for themselves, which let’s face it, most of the time ends badly!

What about those who are making this transition into adulthood without parents to help? Yes, those kids who have parents who are not in their lives. Well, wouldn’t it be nice to have a caring older adult in their lives who can help them with this transition? An aunt or uncle, grandparent, a friend’s parent, or other mentor. These kids need someone!

Just because they have hit eighteen doesn’t mean that they are not scared about their future and what it holds. Especially if they have to do it alone. It is easy to work with these young adults? Most of the time, no. They struggle, and argue and fight, and do stupid stuff! They do not need judgment from you, they need someone to love them no matter what. Someone some of these young adults may have never had!

So, as you look at all the graduating students, reach out to those who may be struggling and offer your help and guidance. Will, they accept? Maybe!