Your little baby is now a 12th grader, it's October and he or she is alternating between panic and seeming obliviousness to all that needs to be done. You're a bundle of nerves!
"Oh no" you moan, "everything's behind schedule."
You didn't take the SAT's or ACT last year. Which one should you take? Did you register for the exam and get a confirmation? Have you chosen your top college picks yet? Are you considering early admissions? I haven't seen your essay! What about your letters of recommendation? Have you requested and received them? We haven't made plans to visit any colleges yet... time is running out! You're not paying any attention to deadlines! Don't you care? Would please stop texting for a minute and listen to me!!!
"I can't breathe.
The sky's falling. I'm not going to live through this year. Where's my Xanax?"
Hopefully you just whispered all this to yourself and didn't alarm your
17-year-old. Everything in good time
is a pleasant, relaxed and achievable model to live by.
You're a parent -- you have the right to worry all you want. If it makes you feel any better indulge yourself. However, fretting over all that might go wrong does nothing to help.
You can't put a price on peace of mind. So, if you feel like you're being hurtled through space at warp speed, use a little time capital to put everything in perspective.
Take a step back and think about how you are coming across to your teen. Become the family ship's captain as you help navigate the choppy waters of your teen's college or trade school application. Captains are trained never to show worry or fear no matter how big the iceberg looks!
Think positively and read below to help make 12th grade an enjoyable year for the whole family.
Begin By De-Stressing!
Instead of holding your breath, why not sit down, relax and be mindful as you slowly breathe in and out? Experience what you are feeling deep inside as well as consciously with the swirling cyclone that seems poised to suck you in.
"Live in the moment." And make sure it is one that will be a fond memory.
Mindfulness has become part of our culture. Take some time to read up on it and you may find it becomes an incredibly rewarding lifelong practice. Click on page 2.
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