Senioritis – A Parents Perspective
You put your child on the bus for kindergarten and it is inevitable someone says, don’t blink it goes so fast. Of course, someone told me that, but did I believe them, HELL NO! As far as I was concerned, he would be living upstairs forever, and the carpooling would never end. Well as I get ready to embark on 5 college visits (Proud mom moment, he has some scholarship potential), senior pictures, choosing a date for his grad party, etc. I’ve come to the realization that it is here.
What do you do from here? Well, if your me, you embrace it. This is so exciting for them. They are the big men/women on campus. They rule the roost, they put their time in and of course they can walk those halls saying, “Yup, I’m a senior”. I don’t want to burst his bubble by bringing my weepy self into the mix. After all, no matter how bad I want it to be about me, it isn’t about me. It’s about him making memories and soaking it all up.
Think of it like planning a wedding, it is so much hype and then it is done. Those 13 years of school were the big build up to you becoming the parent of a senior. I understand that this can be difficult for so many parents, your kids are your life, you enjoy them and want to keep them in your safe little bubble. This, however, isn’t reality. It may be the reality that you want to exist in, but it’s not life.
Give them wings and enjoy this last year with them! Encourage them to go to all the cheesy senior things and finish this year with no regrets. Life is too short and college or working full time will be a bit more challenging than high school. Bring on the chaos, my goal is to have that feeling you do when your wedding is over, and you worked so hard to plan it. That is the feeling I want when he is done. Trust your parenting, you have worked so hard at raising tiny humans that are now growing into larger humans and it is their chance to put into action what you taught them.
This is my first of 3 that we are preparing to leave the nest, talk to me in 6 years when it is my last. Will I be happy to travel with my husband? Will I be crying hysterically because my babies will be gone? Will I be sad that I no longer occupy a chair behind home plate 5 nights a week? Only time will tell but one thing is for sure, I won’t let them see me sweat. I am going to put on my game face and encourage the hell out of them to chase their dreams and reach for the stars.
In summary, as this senior year approaches, let your senior practice being an adult. They are going to screw up, but I’m an adult and so do I, but this is how they learn. Let them have a little senioritis, they deserve it. They have worked so hard at completing this milestone and a little bit, or lot of fun, never hurt anyone. They are on to bigger things so let them be the top dog in the race!
-Mollie Blixt, Owner and Regional Manager of The Learning Experience Gurnee, The Learning Experience Independence, The Learning Experience Grand Rapids, The Learning Experience Beltline, The Learning Experience South Lyon and The Learning Experience South Lyon West
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