This ☀️summer isn’t just any summer at our house. It’s the ☀️summer after high school 🎓graduation. It’s the ☀️summer before college. It’s the last ☀️summer as we’ve known it. And, that’s okay. 🥰As a matter of fact, it’s exactly the way it’s supposed to be.
Where did the ⏰time go? Those 18 years screamed by, didn’t they? Those beautiful,😀 happy, frustrating, sometimes 😢sad, wonderful, laughter-filled, growing-up years. Bandages on cuts. Sleepless 🌛nights. Illnesses. American Girl dolls. 🛍Shopping for back-to-school supplies. Conversations at the dinner 🍽table. Walks around the neighborhood. Singing along with our favorite songs in the car. 🏐Volleyball games. Snow ❄️days at home. Science Fair 🔬projects. School dances. Like you, I’d relive every single moment because they were all precious. Life doesn’t work that way, though. It’s ⏰time to move forward. Time for new extraordinary moments.🎉
Our youngest child will head off to college soon. We’ve learned a thing or two about this season of life because this isn’t our first rodeo. Thought I’d share a few with you as I remind myself that it’s all exactly as it’s supposed to be right now.
☀️Buy all the stuff together for this next chapter. Go for all the Target runs and look at those Amazon links. Get just as excited about the dorm decorations as your kid. Moving away from home can feel scary. Make it fun.
☀️Let them hang out with friends. It’s the last summer that these friendships will ever be the same. Some will continue and last a lifetime, while others will fade. Some quickly. Others over time. Give them this summer together.
☀️They want to know that they will be okay. Encourage them. Stop what you’re doing when they have questions or want to chat. Listen to thoughts and concerns. Give feedback about what poster might look good on a dorm room wall and how to balance college life.
☀️They want to know that you’ll be okay. Feeling anxious about your student heading off to college? Talk to your family and friends about that. It’s natural to feel uncomfortable with change. But, remember- change isn’t bad. You will be okay. Trust me. You will. Make sure they know that.
“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” ~Charles Bowden
Every ☀️summer has a story- especially the last summer. Make it one to remember.💖
sharing the stairs 