As they look forward to high school graduation, these teens face many changes and challenges. They have matured a lot, but they still aren’t fully prepared for adulthood. There likely won’t be as many conflicts between you as in recent years, but they still want to be independent of you. And they’ll need help balancing all of their current activities and hopes for the future.
At This Stage, Your Teen May Be
- Showing a greater ability to share and develop more intimate relationships
- Extremely busy, balancing homework, extracurricular and social activities, household responsibilities, and maybe even a part-time job
- Fairly responsible and able to help with things like cleaning around your home, washing dishes and doing laundry
- Less worried about “fitting in” with a particular group; instead, they may seem more focused on developing close one-on-one friendships and dating
- Thinking seriously about their future (college, work) and their career interests
Building Life Skills
Although your teen may already be helping you around the house with things like vacuuming or doing laundry, there may be opportunities to build other important life skills, such as balancing a checkbook or learning to cook. Include teens in meal planning, which will teach them to stick with a budget. Go to the grocery store together, and show them how to read nutrition labels and choose fresh produce.
Important Conversations
Although teens at this stage may have more mature relationships and close one-on-one friendships, keep talking to them about issues of safety and sexuality, encouraging honest conversation. Also, be consistent with house rules and discipline, and keep talking to them about risky behaviors, such as drinking and drug use. Allow open discussion, but be clear about expectations—and consequences that will result from breaking the rules.
Other Ways You Can Help
Help teach them time management. Because your teen may be super busy, keep an eye on their schedule, and help them prioritize to make time for rest and relaxation. Encourage regular exercise and good nutrition, and try to eat healthy meals together as a family—even if you have to work around football practice or student government. This is a perfect opportunity to talk about time management. Set a good example by being organized in your own routine, and help your teen find a system that works for them.
Assist them as they think about college or work. Encourage your teen to research different career options and establish realistic goals—while making sure their actions match those goals. A bad case of “senioritis” can ruin an otherwise strong college application. For those who may be eager to enter the workforce, talk about vocational/career programs and offer your support in building interview/job skills. Help them stay on top of deadlines and make sure they are organized in their job search.
Make sure they don’t overextend themselves. A part-time job can build self-esteem and teach money management skills. Just be sure your teen isn’t overscheduled—work hours should be limited to less than 20 hours per week, depending on homework and extracurricular activities.
Help your child identify mentors. Teachers, coaches and other trusted adults can help your student develop valuable skills, while providing good references when they apply for college or work.
Encourage them to unplug once in a while. It’s important to make time for relaxation and quiet time, whether it’s reading a book or enjoying a little sunshine.
Graduated Driver License Program
If they have held an Intermediate Restricted License for one year, your 17-year-old is eligible to apply for an Intermediate Unrestricted License under the Graduated Driver License Program with your permission. Several restrictions are in place to keep your teen safe while they earn experience on the road. Learn more about the Graduated Driver License Program, what is required to receive an Intermediate Unrestricted License, and the safety regulations for teen drivers here.
School Success
To see what to expect from high school English language arts and to learn how you can support your child’s school success, visit PTA.org. [LINK TO: alt text: PTA.org]
To see what to expect from high school math and to learn how you can support your child’s school success, visit PTA.org.
Entering the Workforce
There are no limitations on the number of hours that 16- and 17-year-old minors can work. However, they cannot be required to work during school hours, nor can they work past 10 p.m. on nights preceding school days (Sunday through Thursday nights), unless their parent or guardian signs a Parental Consent Form. The Parental Consent Form would allow them to work no later than midnight three of those nights while school is in session.
Talk to Your Teen About Higher Education
Talk with your teen about their future, and how higher education can help them achieve their goals. A college education is within reach for all Tennessee teens, thanks to Tennessee Promise, a program that Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam launched and then signed into law to give high school graduates in the state the opportunity to attend a two-year community or technical college free of tuition and fees.
Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program, and will go into effect beginning with the high school graduating class of 2015. High school students interested in applying should do so in the fall of their senior school year. Learn more about Tennessee Promise, how to apply and application deadlines here.