60 Saturdays Before Graduation

Our son, the last one in the nest, has sixty Saturdays left before graduation. He’s not even finished his eleventh-grade year yet. But I’ve counted them. Sixty weekends will come and go before he graduates next year.

The blessing of homeschooling has provided us with ample opportunities to invest in our children’s lives. Still, even after seventeen years, I wonder if we’ve taught him everything he needs to know.

And, I’m not talking about academics.

It’s all of the practical things for surviving and all of the heart things for thriving.

God’s wisdom and grace have helped us through these parenting years. Yet, we can’t coast in on the home stretch. It’s time to cinch up our seatbelts for this last year and pour as much as we can into his life.

One Thousand and One Things 

There’s a little, red book by Harry H. Harrison, Jr., with an intriguing title:

“1001 Things Every Teen Should Know Before They Leave Home (Or Else They’ll Come Back).”

Some things are practical:

“They should remember the first job is just that.”

Some are witty:
“They should know that talking like a rapper will scare people.”

And many are from a Christian perspective:
“They should know God has a plan for them. And it is most likely different from their plan.”

The blurb on the back of the book states that millions of teens graduate and leave home every year. It also says that “50 percent of them will move back home in five or six years.”

Whoa. 

While I don’t agree with all of the 1001 items Mr. Harrison thinks teens need to know, they do make a parent ponder.

Have we taught our teens everything they need to know so they’ll feel wise and courageous enough to survive and thrive on their own?

Probably not.

It feels like there’s more than 1,001 things we need to teach before graduation. So, what can parents do?

Pray

Most likely you’re already praying for your teens. As their parent, you see their struggles and their weaknesses. Don’t let up in your prayers, thinking they are what they are, or, they’ll eventually turn out okay. Now, more than ever, is the time to put our noses to the floor. Satan is still on the prowl seeking to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)

“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3, ESV).

My prayers for my kids always include asking God to expose their sins, tenderize their hearts, give them a hunger for His Word, and a thirst for righteous living. I pray that for myself as well.

Our faith must be lived out authentically—lining up with all of God’s Word—if we want to model the Truth we hope they’ll follow. We must ask for God to help us stay humble. Repentant. Seeking God first in all things. Bravely speaking the full truth of God, yet with gentleness and respect. Remembering to show grace, hope, and joy.

The things of the heart are the most important. But also, there are some practical life lessons we need to impart to our teens before high school graduation.

Make a List

If you’ve got a teen graduating soon and feeling overwhelmed, do what I do. Make a list!

Your list will look different than mine because every teen is unique. Nonetheless, I’ve created a free printable for you. You can locate this general checklist: “Moving Into Adulthood” under the Resources tab above. There’s plenty of room for you to add to the list and customize it for your teen. The printable will be available for a few months. But, if you’re reading this late, and it’s already changed out, just contact me and I’ll send you a copy.

You may also want to check out All Pro Dad’s excellent list of 5 Things Your Kids Need to Hear Before Graduation.

Make More Memories

No doubt many of you have created a ton of fun memories for your kids as they were growing up. It was easier when they were little. Now, that our teens have schoolwork, sports, part-time jobs, and are spending more time with friends, it is a bit more challenging to carve out family time.

Nonetheless, it is doable. Of course, you don’t have to use all sixty Saturdays before graduation just for family time. Our teens probably wouldn’t appreciate that!

It doesn’t have to be a big affair. Create special memories doing small things.

Remind them of how much you love them—often. Demonstrate this with thoughtful deeds such as baking the cookies they love or cooking one of their favorite meals.

Bring back Family Game Night if it’s fallen by the wayside. If your teens have busy schedules, be flexible. Even playing a game once a month is better than nothing. If your teens aren’t into playing cards or board games, venture out to an arcade, or try something new like taking an art class together.

Begin a once-a-month “Family Connection Day.” Let them choose the activity, but it has to include other family members. Perhaps it is with siblings, parents, or grandparents.

Hopefully, your family is able to take a week-long vacation. But, if not, consider day trips. Search for special events near you. Your teens may like something off the beaten path, such as a Bigfoot Festival.

Or, maybe work together on a mission project in your community.

Keep your ears open. When your teen mentions something they’d like to do with you or the family. If it’s within reason, try to make it happen.

Sixty Saturdays—more or less. Let’s make the most of them.

1001 Things Every Teen Should Know Before They Leave Home: (Or Else They’ll Come Back) – eBook By Harry H. Harrison, Jr. / Thomas Nelson

A freelance writer, Sally Matheny’s writing is published in worldwide, national, regional, online and print publications including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.

As a writer, blogger, and speaker, Sally encourages parents to live victorious and to courageously tell the next generation wondrous things. Connect with her on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.