Best Self Family Post
Mindful High School Seniors
8/13/19
Senior year is unique: in addition to teens’ traditional workload, there are college applications and deciding where to spend the next four years. What can get lost in the shuffle is having fun and making memories, during all the significant experiences happening now. We’re here to provide suggestions for parents who want to help their seniors enjoy the success and the memories of this big year, in the most mindful way possible!
High schoolers are balancing it all – academics, friendships, family, and extracurriculars. This can cause hyperfocus and anxiety regarding the future, especially while comparing themselves to peers. Parents feel this pressure as well and tend to focus on trying to teach their child as many lessons as possible before they go.
What to consider:
Balance– By focusing solely on academics and school work, teens will miss out and won’t look back on their senior year with happiness. It is important that they don’t overcommit themselves. As a parent, you can pay attention to when they are working hard and encourage them to take breaks. Be sure they are making realistic commitments that they will be able to give their attention to and aren’t overscheduling themselves.
Fun– They only have one senior year in high school and one last year before they become an “adult”. Encourage your child to go to football games, hang out with friends, and go to dances. Be sure they are doing pleasurable and enjoyable activities as often as possible. As they are doing these things, be sure they are recognizing the happiness they feel in the moment.
Mindfulness– If your child continuously focuses on everything they have to do senior year, they be so overwhelmed and stressed they will miss what is in front of them. Seniors have a tendency to be very future-focused on what is to come. A certain amount of planning for the future is important. However, by only focusing on the future, they are not enjoying the present. Have your child be in the moment as often as possible and take things one step at a time. This also includes trying to limit activity on their phones and enjoying real life interactions.
Reframe– As parents, try to shift your own perspective about your child’s senior year. Instead of thinking of it as one last year to teach them everything you can, try to look at it as one last year to enjoy different experiences with them before they become independent. Be sure all of your conversations aren’t focused on their future and that you are enjoying each other’s company as well.
Positivity– Encourage your child to keep a positive attitude and to look on the bright side instead of thinking about all the things that can go wrong. Focusing on the difficult moments will only lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety, decreasing your teen’s ability to enjoy themselves. If you notice that they are engaging in negative thinking, try to assist them with increasing positivity by asking, “What is one thing you are looking forward to?” or, “What was one good thing that happened today?”
Relaxation– With all of the expectations and tasks seniors have to do, it can be easy to be constantly on-the-go. Be sure they are incorporating moments of relaxation and self-care on a daily basis. With everything going on, it is important they take time for themselves. This includes making sure they are meeting their basic needs by getting enough sleep, staying active, and eating healthy. Relaxation can be as simple as clearing their mind while taking a shower, doing some yoga, or listening to their favorite song.
Practicing a mindful senior year will lead to a successful senior year. Incorporating these tips will help your child to look back on this year with happiness, and hopefully an enjoyable one for your entire family!