Dear Mom of a High School Senior,
If you’ve been feeling the urge to pamper your child a bit more this year—whether that means spending extra time with them, indulging their favorite treats, or simply giving them a little more love than usual—take this as your green light. This year will pass by in a flash, and you won’t regret making it a time to celebrate your child.
When my eldest, Alex, was in his senior year, his younger siblings jokingly dubbed it “The Year of Alex.” I embraced the title without hesitation. Sure, they were being a tad overdramatic, but I didn’t mind. Alex received a little extra attention, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I baked his favorite cookies, prepared meals he loved, and stocked up on his preferred snacks. I showered him with affection—not necessarily more than I gave the others, but certainly more than the independent young man had allowed me in recent years. We both sensed that change was on the horizon, and we wanted to make the most of our time together.
Throughout high school, Alex took advanced courses and rarely sought my help with his studies, despite my background as a teacher. However, during his senior year, he sought my assistance for proofreading scholarship essays and applications. I cherished those moments and seized every opportunity to do things for him—folding his laundry, running errands, and finding little ways to make him feel special.
More importantly, I found myself needing to nurture Alex in a way that the chaos of family life had not allowed in a long time. I relished our college visits, enjoying the quiet hours spent in the car together, deep in conversation. Yet, I also felt a frantic urge to impart last-minute parenting wisdom. Did he know how to navigate an ATM? Could he maintain eye contact during conversations? Did he understand the importance of attending church, finding good books, changing his toothbrush regularly, and keeping in touch with family? I wanted to cover every lesson, big and small, before he stepped into the next chapter of his life. It was a delicate balance between preparing him for independence and not pushing him out the door too quickly.
I cooked and baked more than ever, envisioning him in his dorm sharing stories about his mom’s delicious potato soup or incredible pecan pie. I wanted him to carry a piece of home with him. During this special year, I gave tighter hugs more often, and he welcomed them. I lingered at the dinner table, savoring even the simplest conversations. I made every effort to soak up as much quality time as I could without hovering.
Despite all the love and attention, time continued to race forward. The year flew by, but it was a beautiful experience. Now we occasionally enjoy “The Weekend of Alex,” and thankfully, the other kids don’t mind too much—they miss him, too.
Next year, we’ll have “The Year of Lily,” followed by “The Year of Emma,” and finally “The Year of Max.” I’ve come to realize that while graduation changes things, it doesn’t mark the end. They’re still my children, still in need of my love and guidance, and they do come back home—after all, my pecan pie is worth returning for.
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In summary, as a mom of a high school senior, don’t hesitate to spoil them just a little bit this year. Embrace the moments, cherish the memories, and prepare for the next chapter together.