The last year of high school is stressful for everyone. As parents we have to work "overtime" to make sure that this last year will be enjoyable for all. This doesn't just happen magically. It takes work. A 2 part Mind Acrobatics exercise can help! Make Senior year a one filled with pleasant memories!

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We're living in stressful times. Often, we overlook the most important thing of all -- family!

Life is finite and so much time is lost in the expenditure of wasted or misdirected emotional energy. Nowhere is this so common as in a student's last year of high school.

Grades, SAT's, college applications with the infamous essay, financial aid concerns, multiple deadlines, "life transition for all," the list is endless and the stress almost palpable.

Let's change this before the nest is empty. Our kids grow up so quickly!

Here's a short two-part Mind Acrobatics(TM) exercise designed to create awareness, lead to a less stressful senior year and help build a new family dynamic full of memorable moments.

Quickly read through the exercise and then decide when's a good time to do it!

A RELAXED SENIOR YEAR, "I'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN!"

Time Needed: 25-30 minutes.

Materials: Your beverage or snack of choice, paper or journal and pen or tablet, soothing music and a comfortable chair in which you can write.

Location: Anywhere peaceful!

Exercise Part 1

- Sit in a relaxed position.

- Breathe in and out slowly 10 times.

- Close your eyes.

- Focus on fond memories of your 12th grader as an infant.

- Now as a toddler.

- The first day of Kindergarten.

- About 9-years-old, then 12 and finally 15.

- After some pleasurable reminiscing pause.

- Write down a few of your most joyous recollections.

- Stop when it feels right and relax a bit before continuing.

As you prepare for the second portion of this exercise keep in mind the next 10 months or so may be the last time your senior lives at home full time!

Exercise Part 2

- Take 5 slow and relaxed breaths.

- Close your eyes.

- Visualize family activities you'd enjoy in the coming months.

- After you've pictured them open your eyes.

- Spend 10 minutes or so and create a list of what came to mind.

- These are positive moments you must make to share with your child. They don't happen by accident" especially in this day and age of social media and particularly texting.

- Stop writing when you feel like it.

Congratulations, you've just completed a visualization that's geared to help you become more mindful of the nature of your relationship so that you may create quality time with your 12th grader before they fly the coop.

This exercise is not simply an excursion into memory, fantasy or wish fulfillment.

Think about the year just gone by. How much stress-free time did you spend with your child? What amount of energy was expended in nagging about homework and studying, and the variety of endless adolescent issues? Did it help?

Which do you remember more, stress and arguing or positive joyful fun?

As parents, we have to craft the opportunities and relationship we will enjoy in this hectic last year before college or looking for a full-time job. It's a challenge!

The key is being mindful of all your interactions.

Be aware of your responses and when you can let something go? How would it feel if most everything didn't seem to be an issue? How might you change this?

Observe your tone of voice and facial expressions in the communications that transpire. Try smiling even when feeling stressed.

Most of us tend to run on auto-pilot. With our children, we often have knee-jerk reactions to particular behaviors.

Now's the time to evaluate and determine what you must insist upon and that which will make no difference in your child's life three years from now.

Senior year the pressure will be on, it's a fact of life. There are many ways to deal with this. One is keeping informed of all school test and application deadlines.

It's likely your teen might not. Knowing what is due and when will eliminate free-floating anxiety!

However, there's something else much more important, perhaps a bit tougher but worth the effort... creating a bold, organic positive communication model.

Let your child know in advance that you'd like to schedule a 1/2 hour to sit down and talk with them about the upcoming year. Expect some resistance:)) You're an adult... you can do it!

Acknowledge that you are aware of how busy and stressed they must feel.

Explain that you are available to lend all the support they need, but don't want to be intrusive. At the same time let them know you'd really like to find a way to spend some quality time together. Ask for suggestions. They may draw a blank. "I don't know" is a typical response.

If they have no ideas, your list from part 2 of the Mind Acrobatics exercise becomes a springboard of possibilities.

Your concept of fun may seem great to you but remember how a teenager thinks, feels and responds. Your approach is critical.

Attempt suggestions in a way that empower your child. Rather than saying "why don't we plan this" try "I've got a thought; how would it work for you if we..."?" Allow them to be the decider.

Phrase your ideas so that they can't be answered with a yes or no. Keep them open-ended ensuring your child doesn't feel cornered.

You might ask, "If you only have time for one activity together as a family what would you like it to be?" Or, "what one special event can we set up in celebration of you becoming a senior?"

The teen years are filled with stress, hormones, emotion, and anxiety. As adults it's up to us to get in touch and evaluate what is truly important.

It requires that we become cognizant of our interactions and do the best we can to create a supportive and low-stress environment no matter how much pressure we are under.

Our fears and concerns for our children's future pale in comparison to what they experience and rarely communicate to any great degree.

Awareness is the first step in creating and sustaining a life-long interaction style that empowers both you and your child.

Are you ready to take up the challenge? The reward will be well worth the effort.

If you've developed a great communication technique please share it. We all benefit. Thanks for reading this article.

Originally published on Huffington Post

Author Dave Kanegis is a Certified Professional Coach.

Authors Website: http://www.lifecoachdave.com

Authors Bio:

David Kanegis is a Certified Professional Coach.

He developed Mind Acrobatics(TM) a series of "self-empowerment" exercises and techniques designed to enable people to create and sustain life changes.

Dave holds MA's in Psychology & Education, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education and Administration and certification as a Life and Corporate Coach. Dave coaches clients in-person (in NYC and Palm Beach,) and around the country via Skype, FaceTime and telephone.

Dave writes about everyday challenges we all face. These include: dating, reducing stress, improving relationships, raising empowered children, reducing toxic family communication and other topics of general interest.

Dave believes life is short and no time should be wasted in useless stress and disharmony.

Dave advocates ridding one's life of draining influences and filling it with people and events that enhance quality of living.

When not coaching Dave enjoys writing articles that cover a wide variety of topical matters as he attempts to help raise people's consciousness of vital issues affecting our country including both political and moral.

David does not try to convince readers of his political views. He encourages each person to act based on their personal beliefs.