Cinco de Mayo With Teens Can Be So Fun! 31 Ways to Celebrate!

Cinco de Mayo With Teens Can Be So Fun! 31 Ways to Celebrate!

Cinco de Mayo means fifth of May. It is important for one area of Mexico, and has become a fun American tradition to celebrate. Here is information about the holiday and many ways we can celebrate Cinco de Mayo with teens.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

History

Originally celebrated for the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, this holiday is celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honor of a military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. It started in Puebla where this unlikely victory occurred, and has spread as a fun excuse to celebrate with parades, food and drinks.

The reason for the attack was Mexico was having trouble paying back war debts to European countries, and France had come to Mexico to collect that debt. France, at that time, was the largest military force, and they were looking to build up their empire, since they had just sold a huge portion of it to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase. Napoleon also wanted to have this base for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War-this might have resulted in a different outcome for the south had it not taken so long to win this war in Mexico.

France lost this particular battle, but eventually won the war after a few years. For five years, this area was until French control.

Read on for fun ideas around this holiday!

Things to know about Cinco de Mayo

It’s actually not celebrated that much in Mexico except for in the state of Puebla. A couple of things to remember when and if celebrating this holiday are: be aware of the historical significance and don’t use Spanish vocabulary inappropriately, (ie. Cinco de drinko.)

This holiday actually has been celebrated in the US since the 1860s. It started in southern California when Mexican immigrant citizens used the holiday as a way to celebrate their heritage. *This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.

Cinco de Mayo with teens!|www.parentinghighschoolers.com

Your teen can help to plan and cook

This is a fun holiday to celebrate with teens because who doesn’t love Mexican food and drinks? And, what better way to get your teen into the kitchen than food and drink for a party! So, plan a fun party for Cinco de Mayo with teens now!

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Cinco de Mayo with teens


Here are some fun ideas for ways to celebrate this Cinco de Mayo with teens! 


Cinco de Mayo Crafts for Teens

Here are 20 easy DIY decorations for your party

More easy DIY party decoration ideas

Easy sombreros to set out for the party

Pipe cleaner cacti

Here are some fun taco shirts….

 

Cinco de Mayo with teens is delicious!


Recipes for Cinco de Mayo


Snacks/Appetizers

Nacho bar

Jalapeño poppers– my boys love these!

Mexican fruit cups

Easy cheesy bean dip

25 great Mexican appetizers


Drinks – You can always choose to add alcohol for the adults!

Margarita punch

Pink lemonade virgin margaritas

Authentic horchata -this looks interesting…

Virgin piña coladas


Main dishes

Sheet pan chili lime chicken

Easy beef empañadas 

Queso chicken -the picture alone made my mouth water!

Best carnitas!

 


Side dishes

Mexican street corn

Authentic Mexican rice

Loaded Mexican fries

Chipotle cauliflower rice


Desserts

Sombrero cookies-so cute!

Cinnamon sugar tortilla surprises– these look yummy!

Churro cupcakes

Praline crunch -we are trying this for sure!

 

Get a pinata for Cinco de Mayo with teens!


Cinco de Mayo Games Teens

Bingo

 

DIY piñatas

Music playlist

Minute-to-win-it games -because, it’s a party!!

I hope that you are able to put together a party celebrating Cinco de Mayo with teens and your whole family! 

And, if you can’t be with your teen for Cinco de Mayo, here are some great ideas for a Taco care package!

Related posts:

Help Your Teen During Finals

What are the best gifts for Mother’s Day? These are great because they are so unique!

Best Graduation Gift Ideas

Gift for Dad That Teens Can Afford

Teens and Summer and You -Save Your Sanity!

29 Great Books To Give At Graduation

Best Year Round Posts for Parenting Teens and Tweens: 50+ Topics

I would love to stay in touch!

Make sure to visit my Facebook page, and follow me on Pinterest and YouTube where I share lots of helpful info for parents of tweens and teens! And, finally, if you feel like this post was helpful, please share it on your favorite social media platform! Thank you so much!❤️

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Cinco de Mayo with teens

 

7+ Best Gifts For A New Driver

7+ Best Gifts For A New Driver

Two of my boys have been driving for awhile, and our youngest just got his license! Want to talk about worry? I want to share tips for surviving these days, and give you some great ideas for the best gifts for a new driver.??

Here are three things to remember when you have a new driver in your house. And, don’t forget to check out my best gifts for a new driver below! *This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.

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Best gifts for a new driver

Have clear expectations

Let your teen know that just because they have received their license, there will still be limits. The amount of driving freedom will be increased as they prove that they are responsible.

For instance, in the beginning, they may be allowed only to drive to and from school. Gradually, other activities can be added.

We were worried about our oldest parking in the crazy tight school parking lot. So, we chose a place on the back side of the school for him to park on the side of the road. It meant that he had to parallel park if he was late, so he always went early to be able to just pull in next to the tennis courts.

As your child drives successfully over time, and follows your rules, add to the places that they can drive and the times they are able to leave your house. We gradually let our boys drive at night to go to a friend’s house or to a movie.

Best gifts for a new driver

Have explicit rules

The rules were clear cut. They had to let us know when they were there, and when they were headed home.  If they wanted to go anywhere else, they were to call and ask. This rule was huge because we wanted to know where they were at all times.

We did not track our boys, if you are wondering. My husband and I talked about this at length, and decided that just because there is technology to do this, we didn’t feel the need for it. We had long talks with each of the boys as they started to drive with their permits. The boys knew that as long as they followed our rules, they would continue to have their driving privileges.

Limit night-time driving

Driving at night is more dangerous in general for all drivers. More accidents occur between 6 pm and 6 am for teenage drivers than any other time -more than 50%. Glare from oncoming headlights and low visibility are the main culprits for these accidents as well as young drivers trying to multi-task.

As your young driver gains more experience, have them go out for short nighttime errands. Our son loves a quick DQ run which is literally about a mile away. He gets to drive, and we know that he is not going far. Then gradually, maybe send them a little further away to the another destination that they might be equally excited about like a friend’s house or another fast food joint that they love.

Here are GPS trackers for your loved ones in case of an emergency or a stolen car…

Non-negotiables

There are some non-negotiables. Buckle seatbelts. No multi-tasking while driving. No drinking and driving. Limit the number of passengers based on the graduated license. Here is the link to all state’s licensing programs. Make sure that you, and your teen, know the rules.

Determine consequences for any violations of the above rules. What will your policy be if your teen receives a traffic ticket?

My advice is to be sure that your new teenage driver has some skin in the game. In other words, will they be making some portion of the car payments? Will they pay for the car insurance, or at least a portion of it? I would highly advise this because they will take driving that much more seriously!

Faith and Humor by Hillary Ibarra

Best gifts for a new driver

We just had a bad weather day, and I was thinking about the things that I like to have in my car at all times, and realized that my boys’ cars are maybe not equipped with those same things.  So, I have put together a list of items that you should be sure to put into your teen’s car. Actually, we should all have these things in our cars! Here are some great gifts for a new teenage driver!

Rather than list each thing individually, I found these great kits!

Emergency Road Kits -There are 12 different ones, I will list a couple…

Auto Emergency Distress Kit -includes

many useful items, click the pic below for more info!

Best gifts for a new driver

Car phone mount for dashboard -This makes it all hands off and safe

I also added some fun items as well because you know how fun it is to make a car your own!

Mini fidget pop clip-ons -These are fun for everyone!

 

Fuzzy steering wheel cover -I know a teen girl who loves hers!

Dice gear shift handle -My son got this in his Easter basket. I never would have thought of changing my gear shift handle…

Here are a couple of keychains: lucky penny, personalized leather, St. Christopher, charm ring for driver

And, car charms are fun!

 

And, some car air fresheners – my boys have tried all sorts. They crack me up how many times that they change them out! Here is one choice below…

Other related posts:

Emergency road trip kit

15 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe at College

Sexting and Your Teen: Get the Facts

When You Have An 18 Year Old: Important Information You Need To Know

Best Year Round Posts for Parenting Teens and Tweens: 50+ Topics

I would love to stay in touch!

Visit my Facebook page, and follow me on Pinterest and YouTube! I look forward to seeing you again!❤️

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Best gifts for a new driver

 

 

Sleep For Teens Is So Important! 7 Tips That Will Help!

Sleep For Teens Is So Important! 7 Tips That Will Help!

Sleep for teens is so important!

Have you noticed that your teenager is groggy during the day? This is possibly due to sleep deprivation. Sleep for teens is such an important topic!

I know that one time I noticed that one of my boys was just not himself for days. We talked about what I was noticing. In our conversation, he admitted that he was worried about a situation with some of his friends. We talked for only about 15 minutes on the way to his practice, and it seemed like he was frustrated by what was going on.

Fast forward a couple of days, and he seemed like a completely different kid! I casually noticed out loud to him that he seemed really “up”. He told me that after our discussion, that he had made a decision about what to do – I have no idea what it was now! – and that all of a sudden he could sleep again.

Just goes to show the power of sleep, and what a little conversation will do to help! I really had only mostly listened, and sometimes that is all our teens need:)

*This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.

Sleep for teens is so important!

The importance of sleep for teens

Between peer pressure, friends, hormones, sports, and assignments, teens have a lot on their plate. It seems like teens are naturally wired to be up all night. But you can encourage a sleep routine that works and make sure they follow through with it for better sleep. Bedtime is not “cool” for teenagers, but it is so important!

How much sleep does a teenager need?

American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that teenagers between the ages of thirteen and eighteen should get 8-10 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Research shows that between 50% and 75% of all teenagers are NOT getting enough sleep on school nights.

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Sleep for teens|www.parentinghighschoolers.com

Carolyn from Top-Mom.com has graciously agreed to write this post about sleep for teens for me. Here are tips on how to get your teen to sleep better.

Limit electronics in the bedroom

The leading cause of poor sleep patterns for teenagers is electronics, including cell phones and social media. Light from electronics disrupts the traditional cues sent to the brain, signaling it to wind down. That’s why physically removing the device is the best option.

Your teen may not be very receptive to this idea at the beginning. In this case, start small by introducing a rule of charging all electronics in the parent’s bedroom or another isolated room. This will reduce the temptation of phone usage at night.

Sleep for teens -best tools

White noise sound machine -This is such a great thing! We live across from an elementary school, so this was awesome during nap time back in the day! My boys all took these to college for their dorm rooms to cover up sounds from the hallway!

 

Weighted blanket -This is the bomb! You may need to order a couple to figure out the correct weight for you, but I have never slept better than with this thing! Be sure to get the kind that cools…

 

Ear plugs -I don’t like these, but one of my sons swears by them. He prefers them to the sound machine. To each his own…

Sleep mask – Again, not my favorite, but my mom and one of my other boys love these. I have tried to sleep in one of these, but I turn over a lot, and the mask always stays put, as I turn -did you ever see that scene in the movie Tootsie where Dottie turns over and her wig stays put??? Hey, whatever works though, right?! Here are some pretty, and weighted sleep masks made organic flax seed and lavender -the cover comes off for washing.

 

Finally, does your teen complain at all about their mattress? My son did, and a friend’s daughter registered for this mattress. I asked my friend how they were liking the mattress, and she said that they had now purchased the same mattress for the other two beds in their townhouse.

 

Regular sleep schedule for teens

This is one of the most effective ways to help teens sleep better. Sleeping within an hour of normal sleep hours keeps the circadian rhythm in check. Sleeping later than usual during weekends and holidays make it harder to resume the routine.

Pulling an all-nighter and ‘catching up’ on sleep will not pay for all the sleep debt. Therefore, you must make sure your teen observes their sleeping hours every day, on all occasions. This will improve sleep for teens so much!

sleep for teens is so important

Cancel afternoon naps

Although afternoon naps may potentially provide more sleep, it may make it harder to sleep well at night. Since they break up sleep, it means poor sleep quality, hence fewer benefits.

If your teen already has this habit, work with them for a week to quit these naps moving forward. This can be done by replacing the nap time with another activity. It can be a simple walk or practicing a hobby such as painting.

Sleep for teens|www.parentinghighschoolers.com

Encourage teens to avoid homework procrastination

If possible, make your teen complete their homework immediately when they get home from school. Naturally, they’ll want to play games and watch some TV for a few hours before they settle for their homework. This may seem far-fetched, but doing homework immediately is easier as they’re still in the school momentum. Also, this will make sure they don’t end up staying all night trying to hit deadlines. This is another simple way to help sleep for teens.

If your teen is coming home with too much homework that’s keeping them up every day, consider talking to their teachers.

Make your teen’s bedroom conducive for sleep

A quiet and peaceful bedroom will allow your teen to sleep better. Tips such as making sure all their windows and doors are closed play a huge part in your teen’s sleep quality. Also, make sure their clock is placed behind them, so they don’t fall into the temptation of checking time all night. (This clock lights up to simulate daylight -great for deep sleepers!)

Other things you can do to make their bedroom sleep-friendly include:

Buy them items such as earplugs if your house is loud at night, and a lightweight sleep mask to block light entry.

Incorporating aromatherapy. Marjoram, chamomile, orange blossom, and lavender are examples of soothing smells for bedtime.

Getting better sleep pillows for a teen, and ensuring their mattress is comfortable will give them a good night’s sleep.

Sleep for teens|www.parentinghighschoolers.com

Limit caffeine intake before bed

Caffeine isn’t only in coffee and energy drinks. It can be in your teen’s favorite sodas and snacks. Teach your teen to monitor their caffeine intake throughout their day. If they need a hot beverage, encourage them to fix a warm cup of green tea or any other herbal tea.

Final Thoughts

Bringing up a teenager isn’t an easy task for any parent. They get moody and angry, but it’s still your responsibility as a parent to make sure they are healthy. If you have a daughter, here is some information about sleep and a woman’s period.

Lack of enough sleep for teens is a common challenge. Using the above tips, you’ll be able to help your teenager have a healthy sleep routine.

If you have any additional tips, share in the comment section, and don’t forget to share this article with other moms.

Author’s bio:

Carolyn is a former nurse who turned to a blogger. Now she uses her time in educating people on tips of living a healthy lifestyle through her blog – Top-Mom.com. She also offers coaching classes on matters of mental health, fitness, and nutrition.

A little plug for her… Kids grow really fast, and before you realize, they are no longer the adorable little angels you knew. That’s why getting a memory book on top-mom.com to capture the good memories and changes, is a great idea!

Related posts:

15 Ways You Can Help a Stressed Out Teen

5 Easy Ways to Improve Communication With Your Teen

Help Your Teen Prepare For Finals -or any other stressful situation!

Good books for parenting teens

Teens and summer and you -tips for sanity!

Best Year Round Posts for Parenting Teens and Tweens: 50+ Titles!

Here is a link to my YouTube video all about homework and procrastination, as mentioned above!

I would love to stay in touch!

Make sure to visit my Facebook page, and follow me on Pinterest and YouTube where I share lots of helpful info for parents of tweens and teens! And, finally, if you feel like this post was helpful, please share it on your favorite social media platform! Thank you so much!❤️ 

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Sleep for teens is so important!

 

 

5 Easy Ways to Improve Communicating With Teenagers

5 Easy Ways to Improve Communicating With Teenagers

When it comes to loving on your teen, you wouldn’t think that talking would be a good way to do this, but it really can be great! Communicating with teenagers is key to your relationship with them.

But, in order for it to be a loving act, there are a few things to think about.

As a mom, I know that I have so many things spinning in my head that I want to talk to my boys about. I can overwhelm them if I’m not careful. Here are some tips to help you as you parent your teens.

Here is one of my YouTube videos discussing how to get a conversation started with your teen:)

 

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When is the best time to talk?

First, keep in mind that there are better times than others to talk with your teens. This means that you need to do some homework as a parent. Pay attention to when your teen is at their best, or at least better than most times.

Watch to see if your teen prefers mornings for a chat or is your teen a late-night owl?

After school is a usually a terrible time. They have been talked to all day long. They are tired, and probably need some time to decompress. However, it can be a good time, after they have had a snack, and some time to just hang out.

5 Easy Ways to Improve Communicating With Teenagers

Think about yourself, and remember that there are times that you prefer company, and other times that you would rather be left alone! Let these tips help improve communicating with your teenagers.

Now what?

Once you have decided when is best to have a conversation with your teen, here are some ways to keep the lines of communication open. This can lead to improved relationships for your family, and you can get creative with other ways to show your teen some love!

*This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.

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Communicating with teenagers|Parentinghighschoolers.com

Have you read my book? It’s all about talking with your teens to prepare them for their future: college, jobs, life… Here’s the link to the blog post with extra freebies for you to use.

5 Easy Ways To Improve Communicating with Teenagers

Keep it short.

Our teens dread big talks with parents. That truth might hurt, but it’s a good one to remember. There are a couple of ways to help them not to dread these times. One is to make sure that you keep the time short, no more than about 30 minutes-no matter what! Sometimes, a quick check-in is even better. Let them know you’re thinking of them, remind them of maybe one topic that has been a concern, and be done.

5 Easy Ways to Improve Communicating With Teenagers, listen more than you talk!

Realize that teens won’t “get it” right away.

In other words, what you are saying may not be what they want to hear right now. Some discussions need to occur in increments depending on your teen and/or the topic. Some examples would be: money management, future plans like college or next year’s schedule, or even the evolution of different rules as they get older.

Many topics are too massive to think that one conversation is enough… So, again, don’t overwhelm. This is why you can’t give up. Communicating with teenagers might be the biggest challenge that we face as parents, so DON’T give up!

Listen more than you talk!

One thing that many teens complain about is that their parents just don’t listen. They feel like they are lectured to, yelled at, and otherwise talked at more than they are listened to. If you want your kids to talk to you, then you have to listen.

Start by asking open-ended questions. Discuss a a game that you both recently watched. Talk about their friends and find out what has been happening. Give them time to think and talk. Sometimes being quiet together is really nice. Remember that when communicating with teenagers, it definitely needs to be a 2-way street.

Listen to your teenager-silence is golden.

I know that I am guilty of questioning my boys to death, and I have to remind myself to just wait for their answers and be okay with some non-answers–super hard for me!!

Remember that silence is golden, sometimes they just need to vent and move on. Let them.

Choose 2-3 topics, no more!

This goes along with listening. Don’t overwhelm your teen with too many topics, another thing that I am so guilty of! Choose just a couple of the most important topics to address, then put the rest on hold. Sometimes one topic will lead to another, but don’t force the issue.

Let your teen know that there are other concerns or topics to cover, but not today. They will appreciate this, and together you can schedule another conversation based on the urgency of what needs to be discussed.

Here is a link to a post about some possible topics to discuss. Most you will have thought of, but just in case…

Communicating with teenagers-don't overwhelm!

Sometimes, like their senior year, there will be many conversations! Warn them ahead of time, that this will be happening, so they will be expecting it. This will be true no matter whether they are headed to college or into a job because there is just so much!

Other times, there are not so many things to talk about, but always stay in conversation with your teen. Communicating with teenagers is a balancing game, so try not to tip that balance.

Know that our teens’ lives are complicated.

This cannot be forgotten. We have no idea about their lives. We know how are our teenage years were, but their lives are even more complicated by all the social media. We cannot understand because even if our teenage years were difficult, (and whose were easy?), we didn’t have that to deal with!

Empathy and staying in communication with our teens is the best way to help them through. Don’t be pushy about this. But, don’t let them push you away either. If they aren’t in the mood to talk, tell them it’s all right for a bit, but before the day is over, you want to check in and talk even for just five minutes.

This will give them space, but also know that there is a deadline for their solitude. Start this when they are a younger teen, so that they get used to the fact that they cannot shut us out indefinitely. There will be ups and downs throughout these teen years, but going for more than a few hours should be unacceptable.

Grab a cute poster to download and print off for girls here. And, here’s a link to a poster of encouragement for anyone!

Parenting is not for the faint of heart.

If you have a teen, then you need to know that these years are long and short. Long because the teenage years last for seven years. Short because they will fly by so quickly! As a parent, you will have so many opportunities to mentor and guide your teen.

Don’t give up. If a conversation goes south, apologize if needed, and move on. Try again later. Communicating with teenagers is THE key to your relationship!

Your teen needs privacy, but don’t let that prevent a relationship from thriving. Your teen needs you now more than ever! Don’t let their moods dictate the state of your family-forgive and forget. You got this!

5 Easy Ways to Improve Communicating With Teenagers -it is possible!

One more thing, get yourself a support group. Friends, family, co-workers. People that can listen to you vent, cry, complain. People who  can give you advice and be a sounding board. I have found that for me, it’s been great to have someone with kids just a little older who have been through whatever stage already before.

*If you feel like your teen may not be talking because of possible depression, please get help from a professional.

And, finally, give yourself grace. You will mess up. You will make mistakes. Own it, and move on!

RESET YOUR RELATIONSHIP is a course I developed for parents of tweens and teens. It will provide you with tools you need to reconnect with your teen. Simple and easy-to-implement strategies that will get you back on the right track with your teen. It is natural for your teen to want some privacy and to start pulling away. You can put limits on that and still stay in a close relationship! Try it out here!

Related posts:

Simple Steps for Disciplining Your Teen

7 Things To Know If You Love a Teenager

Best Books to Read If You Have a Teenager

Best Year Round Posts for Parenting Teens and Tweens: 50+ Titles!

I would love to stay in touch!

Make sure to visit my Facebook page, and follow me on Pinterest and YouTube where I share lots of helpful info for parents of tweens and teens! And, finally, if you feel like this post was helpful, please share it on your favorite social media platform! Thank you so much!❤️

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Communicating with teenagers|Parentinghighschoolers.com

 

 

My Senior Is Pulling Away From Me: 5 Ways You Can Help!

My Senior Is Pulling Away From Me: 5 Ways You Can Help!

Is your senior pulling away from you this year? I hear this from so many moms, and I feel ya! Every year it happens. I’ve had this happen to me two times already and I’m dreading my senior pulling away from me when it happens the third time!

Some, if not most of this process is natural. But, you may be contributing to the speed at which this is happening. Here are some ways to be aware and make sure that you can preserve your last few precious moments with you senior.

Pulling away from us can take a lot of forms and it is really sad and it is awful and it is natural.

My senior is pulling away from me

During this year your seniors are going to be pulling away from you. It can be it can be bad attitude. It can be the fact that they just don’t want to talk to us. it can be them being not nice to us and to their siblings. *This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.

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My senior is pulling away from me!

 

What can I do when my senior is pulling away?

Don’t feel like if your teen is doing any of these things that they’re the only one. because i can assure you that they’re not. What can we do? Be sure to read the tips below after you watch the video all about when your senior pulls away from you. 

Have you read my post about all the “things” when your teen turns 18?

Let them know that things will change, prepare them!

This is so important, and yet we forget to give our teens a heads up about how traumatic senior year can be. We get caught up in all the fun and exciting things, that we forget all the angst.

There are so many decisions that our teens need to make. College? If college, then where? What is needed for all the applications? Is there enough money? What will they need to know? Do they know enough? Are they smart enough for college? Are their grades good enough to even get in? Will they even like it once they are there?

I am exhausted just thinking about all of these worries, and this is just if college is in the works!

Not college? Trade school? Military? Gap year? Where will they live? What will people say? What will my parents think if I don’t want to go to college? Etc…

So… let your child know that you are there for them no matter what their decision –even if you don’t like the decision. This is HARD. Be supportive. Listen. Encourage them to make a pros/cons list to make decisions.

Don’t assume that you know what they are thinking

Seniors have to pull away from us as their parents. They’re also pulling away from friends their friendships groups might be changing they this is a big year of transition for teens. They have one million things going through their heads as I mention above. Sometimes just sitting together and not talking is okay too.,

Talk about what they are interested in

It’s not about you. Write your teen a note and ask if they need anything from you. If they want to ask any questions. If they have any concerns. Be available. Listen more than you talk. Give encouragement.

Balance giving freedom and still have control

This is a year that you really need to start letting them have more freedom. It will not be easy, but they are ready, and even if you are not, they need to start to have experiences that will test their problem solving skills. They need to learn to be in situations that  will provide learning.

This is a time for talking about things that they might encounter in their future at college or wherever they might end up. Help your teen to think through and talk through different scenarios. Let them know you have faith in them. Give them opportunities leading up to their departure that will build up their confidence.

Before they are gone, let them go

This means in your heart, you need to accept that they will be gone soon. This is the saddest feeling. It is so hard to do, but you need to start getting used to them being gone more and more.

They will have been gradually becoming more and more independent over the years. There will be decisions that they make that you may not agree with in addition to those that will you will be proud of. It will be a wild emotional ride…

What do do when my senior is pulling away…

We need to be patient with our seniors, and it is so hard because it hurts. The feels are just non-stop! Not only is it an exciting time because of all the things… Even during Covid, there are things that our seniors are looking forward to:  their senior picture, prom, graduation, all night party… 

So, if you have a friend who says to you, “My senior is pulling away from me,” give her the biggest hug! She needs it so badly, and I will be there with her in a couple more years?

**Remember, once they turn 18, there are some legal forms that your teen needs to have. Read all about it in this post.

Related posts:

FAFSA: What Is It All About?

What Happens To Parental Rights When Your Teen Turns 18?

Are You Asking Yourself How Are We Going To Pay For College Next Year?

Plan a Budget For College

Best List of Graduation Gifts

College Bound: Conversations to Have With Your Teen

The Best Books to Give At Graduation: 29 Great Choices

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: “What Are the Best High School Graduation Gifts”

I would love to stay in touch!

Like my Facebook page, and follow me on Pinterest and YouTube! I look forward to seeing you again!

 

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My senior is pulling away from me!

 

 

Inquiring Minds Want to Know:  “What Are the Best High School Graduation Gifts”

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: “What Are the Best High School Graduation Gifts”

Here is the best gift guide for high school graduation gifts that I put together with some help from recent grads!

Are you wondering what to give to the graduate in your life? Whether you are searching for graduation gifts for college or graduation gifts for high school, there are so many great ideas.

I asked my two older sons who graduated from high school within the past few years which of their graduation gifts they appreciated the most and/or have used the most. I asked my nieces who have all graduated in the recent past as well. And, I asked 12 other recent high school graduates and college, both guys and girls.

Here is what I found out with direct quotes about their favorites to make the best guide for high school graduation gifts…?

I love graduation time -do you? These kids are so excited, and eager to fly… I remember heading off to college with my monogrammed towels, and empty scrapbook to fill with memories! Those were my two favorite gifts from high school graduation. That seems like so long ago, and also like yesterday!

Have fun picking out the perfect gift for the graduate in your life!

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The best high school graduation gifts

Have you read my post about the legal implications of turning 18? *This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.

 

The best high school graduation gifts!

Graduation gifts for guys (or gals):

1. Money or gift cards to fast food chains or local eateries- “Who doesn’t love free money and food?!

 

2. College hat – “Great to already have when I got to school.

3. Shower caddy filled with supplies- “I liked having a caddy already filled so I didn’t have to think about it.”  This would take a little research to find out their favorite brands to fill it with, but such a useful gift!

4. MacBook— “My mom got this for me. I have used it every single day for college and jobs.”  A bit more of an expensive gift, but all students will need some sort of computer.

5. Headphones– “I wish that I had asked for these when I graduated. I had to buy them myself later.”

6. Microwave– “Have used everyday in my dorm and then my rental house because it didn’t have one.

The best high school graduation gifts!

7. Reading pillow– “I didn’t think that I would use this thing, but I did, and my friends all wanted one once they saw mine!

8. Amazon Prime for students– “This has been great for ordering books and watching movies when I probably should have been studying. But, my grades have been good, so I guess it’s okay.

9. Slammo game– “My brothers gave me this game. It’s been fun out on our campus lawn. Taking to my frat next year.

10. External battery charger– “This thing is great. I always have it in my backpack. Been a couple of times that I was really glad I had it!

 

11. Magic Bullet“I still use mine, and I graduated from college 2 years ago!”

Graduation gifts for daughter (or son):

1. Money or gift cards to beauty stores- “I love to eat out when I don’t have to pay for it!”  Here is a great blog post by Southernly Splendid with fun and creative ways to gift with money!

 

2. Keurig– “Can’t. Live. Without!”  Great for coffee of course, but also hot chocolate, hot tea, soup…

3. Toolbox with little handy items such as:  hammer, screwdriver, tape, different sizes of batteries… “I didn’t think that this was a good gift, but almost every week either I have used this or a friend has!”  Since this is a soft-sided bag, lot’s of other little things could be added like batteries, tape, string, Command hooks, even a deck of cards!

high school graduation gifts!

4. Monogrammed towels– “I love my pretty towels. I got them in my school colors, and I still use them.”  This takes a little time to get the towels and find someone to do the embroidery, but I know even my son loves his!

5. Overnight/gym bag– “I had a bag already, so this was great because I could dedicate one for the gym, and then I had one to pack real quick to go away for a weekend!”  Bags are great because they can always use them for extra storage in small dorm rooms or apartments as well.

6. Lap desk– “I never had one of these before, and I always wanted one. I use it all the time although not always for studying. I do my nails and even eat on it when we order food.

7. Water bottle– “I got 3 of these, and I use them all the time. When one is dirty, I grab another!

8. Toiletry bag– “I love that it lies flat, but then scoops up all of my stuff. It’s great to grab for running to my friend’s for the night or a weekend trip.

9. Pretty jewelry– “My grandma got me a pretty bracelet that said, ‘Love you to the moon and back’. I wear it all the time.”  You can never go wrong with jewelry!

10. Catch-all dish– “My sister got a great little dish for her room that is great for keys, glasses etc. I wanted one, too, so I ordered one myself for my dresser. I can’t wait to take it to college.

 

High school graduation gifts

Great books to give as high school graduation gifts:

Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet

Make Your Bed

ABCs of Adulthood

Rising Strong

The Latte Factor

Other gift guides that I have written:  for teen guys and teen gals

Research for high school graduation gifts done for you!

I hope my list of high school graduation gifts helps with these next few weeks full of high school and college-ending events. It’s an exciting time for our kids, and the graduation gifts on this list will give them a head start with their new life!

By the way, do you need an inspirational graduation card? Or here, or here.

Here are some cute graduation cake toppers for girls. Here’s a more general one, and here is the coolest one that pulls money out of the cake!

Good luck shopping, and let me know if you have any other good ideas.

P.S. My son got the best little book for graduation, and I had to share the link with you all! It’s called Assume the Worst The Graduation Speech You Will Never Hear by Carl Hiaason and illustrated by Roz Chast. It is really great! It cuts through to the heart of what kids really need to hear about life in a hilarious way, and the pics are great. Grab one for your favorite graduate:)

One more thing to know about high school graduation…

Before your teen leaves for college, be sure that you have all of their legal ducks in a row.

There are a couple of things that you should be sure to take of whether they go far away or not. If they leave your state for college or a job, be sure to check that they are protected in that state as well!

Related posts:

The Best Books to Give At Graduation: 29 Great Choices

What Will Your Freshman Will Really Need in Their Dorm Room,

10 Tips For Making a Care Package for Your Teen,

What Will /Happen Now That Your Teen Is Turning 18 

15 Best Bible Verses to Help Your High School Senior

15+ Best Gift Guides for Teens

Best Year Round Posts for Parenting Teens and Tweens: 50+ Titles

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High school graduation gifts