“As moms, we are in it together-raising the future. We are a tribe of future makers. So let’s support each other.”

-Marissa Hermer

Senior year is one of the most exciting, stressful, drawn-out years of high school that there could be for your child. While they are experiencing it, it couldn’t be over fast enough for them, but for you, it is a roller coaster of emotions that your baby is going to college next year. You will think to yourself “where did the time go?” As the year goes by in a blink of a eye. When you approach Senior Year, it can be hard to handle with college applications, graduation parties, senior photos, looking for scholarships and so on. So I compiled a few tips to help you work your way through senior year as a pro.

Organization is KEY!

Heading into the year and picking up things as they come can make the year quite a bit more challenging then you would like. I recommend making a binder for senior year that has a list of dates for important events for the year, info on colleges that have programs that interest your child, venues that you like that you might want to book ahead a time for your child’s graduation party, scholarships that you can go through together that look good to apply for and so on. Making a binder at the beginning of the year (or Junior year) and going through it once a month to check things off can really make you and your soon to be grad enjoy the year so much more!

 

Make a Budget for this Years Expenses

Senior year is a fun year and a EXPENSIVE year. When going over the dates at the beginning of the year think about the costs that will come with it. Costs for ACT and SAT’s, there Yearbook, Senior Photos, Cap and Gown, there Letterman jacket and class ring, college application’s, Prom and the little things in between those biggies.  Go through each and research what the costs average on. Talk with your senior and find out what is important to them like maybe there class ring or Senior Photos and splurge on that item, after all they will only be a senior once! Which brings me to my next point.

 

Work together through this!

While there are some things that are a given when getting your child involved with Senior Year, there are some things that you might assume and you should hold your horses on.  Some kids do not know what they want to do yet and are not ready for the whole college thing. The world is a different place and many jobs require a experience in the field instead of a degree. Let your senior find themselves and always push them to go for there dreams. They need to experience the world for themselves.

 

Remember this is the last year that your babies will be fully protected by the mother hen. You will have to pry your fingers off there shoulders and let your kids be free. Give them a year they will never forget and don’t forget to enjoy every moment with them.

 

 

Elisabeth is a Photographer that specializes in Senior and Family Portraits in the Akron, Canton and Cleveland Area. For information on her packages, contact her HERE.