How did you do the transition?

[Anonymous]

Ideas for last day of high school and summer transition, and college start? Ways to make it special?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if this is the kind of thing you mean, OP, but my senior has made a list of things she wants us all to watch together one more time.

One is her favorite TV show for us to binge, one is a musical, etc. And her brother has something he wants us all to watch together, too.

Basically relaxing family time … with the attendant junk food snacks. 😁

[Anonymous]

Favorite meals. Family game night (if your family enjoys that type of thing). Walks in the neighborhood, whatever your NORMAL habits are.

Buy clothes that they feel good in (not fancy, just ones they like). Maybe a fresh haircut. You want them to feel confident, since freshman start is a little daunting socially.

And they will likely want to spend time with their high school friends. (Who can be a good support freshman year, from afar.)

Make sure they know things like how to do laundry and show their insurance card at the doctor. (Sorry, that stuff is more practical than "special.")

I found my kid's "last" summer to be wistful for me (the mom). Very sad at different times, because it felt like an ending. BUT, the good news is that they come home more often and for longer than you might think. The going and the coming require some adjustments.

Be sure to agree upon a communication plan (like my kid calls once a week, at a time of her choosing. It usually worked out to be Sunday.) By having a plan in place, you won't be worried or hurt. And they won't feel like they are not independent, just meeting the agreed upon expectation.

I tried to not make home sound too fun (though, school was actually more fun anyway). Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Don't get in their hair, it's their last summer with HS friends, too.