There is no doubt that senior year of high school has a lot of feelings, activities, and logistics happening all at the same time. 

The last thing we need is to feel like we have to explain what our kids are planning in detail.

Why they are considering that choice, how we are going to pay for it, and sometimes the entire history on how they reached that decision.

We don’t need to explain what our kids are thinking, where they are applying, or what they have decided to do after high school graduation.

It is such a huge year of transition for our kids. Some know exactly what they want to do and where they want to go. Some are completely lost, and some kids are in between. Sometimes, plans change day to day.

When my son was a freshman in high school, the girl who won Homecoming Queen wrote in her bio that was read aloud to the crowd over the loudspeaker, “ I want to attend college wherever I get in.” In my opinion, that was the best post-graduation answer I heard in the six years we attended that school.

Every activity asks its seniors to list what their graduation plans are, and then they are announced in front of sometimes thousands of people.

Many of these events happen before college applications even open. A common quote I’ve seen is, “they hope to study (insert subject here) at (insert college here).”

• But what if they don’t know?
• What if they don’t get in?
• What if they pick a non-traditional route?
• What do you say then?

You don’t need to say anything.

Honestly, the conversation around going to college or post-graduation plans has gotten much better in the past few years. 

People are starting to understand that not everyone should or can attend college. 

Our workforce desperately needs people to join the trades.

Mike Rowe reported that his foundation received the most applications for scholarships that it ever has this year. 

Honestly? I would be all for a year of voluntering in some manner before heading off to college or the workforce.

But there are still some awkward situations and conversations that happen.

No matter what your child decides to do after graduation, you do not owe anyone an explanation.

I have seen parents squirm when sharing their child’s decision. 

This has happened when a parent was sharing their child’s ambitious plans, as well as when a child hadn’t decided on anything and wanted to take a gap year.

This decision is the main focus of a high school senior’s school year.

It’s fun and interesting to see what everyone is planning and what led them to that decision.

It’s similar to when people are having a baby and all of those related questions come up. 

I don’t think anyone has bad intentions in asking what your child’s plans are post-graduation. 

Saying that your child is still thinking about their options and you really don’t know what direction they are going to go is a perfectly acceptable answer.

Remember that your child and your parenting journey are so much more than what they choose to do after graduation. “What” they do, where they go to college, is not “who” they are.

Try to remember that if someone is asking about what your child is doing after graduation, they mean well. They care about your child and you. 

Yet, it is also completely acceptable to answer with a non-specific answer if you do not feel comfortable sharing.

If you are overwhelmed by high school senior year and don’t know where to start, grab our free senior year checklist!