It feels like just yesterday that I was walking my daughter to their first day of kindergarten. Now, here I am, in the beginning of her senior year of high school, wondering how time slipped away so quickly. The little person who once needed me for everything is standing on the brink of adulthood, and I’m filled with a mixture of pride, excitement, and a bittersweet sense of nostalgia.
As a mom, preparing for this senior year has been as much of an emotional journey as it has been a logistical one. While my child is busy preparing for their future and which college to choose, I’m left preparing for my own transition as well. It’s a time of lasts, of letting go, and of embracing a new chapter for both of us.
Embracing Change
Senior year isn’t just another school year—it’s the beginning of a significant transition, not just for my child but for me as well. And while I’ve known this day was coming, it still feels surreal. I’m learning to embrace the change, realizing that this is what we all prepare for: raising our children to be independent, capable, and ready to take on the world.
The Logistics of Senior Year
Beyond the emotional preparation, there’s the practical side of senior year, and let me tell you, it’s a whirlwind. From college applications and scholarship essays to senior pictures, prom, and graduation planning, the calendar fills up fast. Staying organized has become a survival skill.
Creating a timeline of deadlines and important dates has been crucial. But even more important has been letting my daughter take the lead. As much as I want to swoop in and handle everything, this is their year to shine and take ownership of their future. I’m there as a support system, helping to nudge things along when needed, but ultimately, this is their journey.
The biggest tip I could give anyone would be if your child is a sophomore or junior, start planning the college visits now. I wish we had started sooner. We got to see a lot this summer, but I wish we started earlier, so we could have visited more. Encourage your child to make a pro/con list while visiting, or shortly after – trust me, they all start to get jumbled in your brain after a while, and you will be happy you did this!
Do the research early. Check the school sizes, the expected costs and potential financial aide; see what programs they offer. A great resource we have used is Appily- it is the best place on the Internet for high school students to plan, decide, and apply to college. Also sign up for the meet and greets when the colleges come to your towns! This was a great way for us to know more about schools that I wouldn’t have added to the list otherwise
Cherishing the Moments
If there’s one piece of advice I could give other moms, it’s to cherish every moment of senior year. The “lasts” come quickly: the last first day of school, the last homecoming, the last sports game, etc. These moments are fleeting, and while the future is bright and exciting, there’s something uniquely special about this final chapter of high school.
Self-Care for Moms
Amid all the preparations for senior year, I’ve realized how important it is to take care of myself too. This year is emotionally charged—not just for our kids, but for us as moms. There are days when I feel overwhelmed by the to-do list, and all the fees due for graduation prep, or when the weight of nostalgia is too much. Take time for yourself, whether it’s through a quiet walk, coffee with a friend, a massage, and that will help you stay grounded.
We moms are often so focused on caring for everyone else that we forget to care for ourselves. But in this season of transition, self-care is not just important—it’s essential.
A Message to Fellow Moms
To every mom gearing up for your child’s senior year: You are not alone. This is a milestone for us too, a moment when we see the culmination of all the years of love, patience, and guidance we’ve poured into our children. It’s okay to feel a little lost, to mourn the passing of one stage while celebrating the beginning of another.
As we prepare our kids for the next chapter of their lives, let’s remember to prepare ourselves too. There’s so much to look forward to—a new kind of relationship with our children, the joy of watching them spread their wings, and the fulfillment of seeing them step confidently into their future.
So, let’s embrace this senior year with all its challenges and joys. Let’s celebrate the moments, the milestones, and the memories. Because before we know it, graduation day will be here, and our roles will shift once again. But through it all, we’ll remain what we’ve always been: their mom, their biggest supporter, and their safe place to land.
“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: one is roots, the other is wings.” – Hodding Carter
