By Janet Krebs, CONNECT 4 Kids Parenting Coach
Greetings and let’s say, “Happy June for all of the kids that are finally out of school”! To our new graduates, happy freedom! Now you’ve got a summer of fun and time to think and plan for what’s next. But, what is next? After the celebrations and open houses end, what do you say after “congratulations”?
I suggest that if you are speaking with graduates of high school and if you’re engaging them about their plans following school, “Where are you going to college?” is not the question to be asking. Not everyone is going to college. It becomes awkward and frankly we’ve got a whole decade of awkward kids. Maybe they didn’t get into the school of their choice. Who knows? Perhaps try something a little more generic, like “What are your plans after school?”
This, I believe, will open them up and give them permission to share their thoughts, dreams, and ideas with you. It puts you in the category of an interested listener who understands that there is life beyond school. That there is success outside of formal education.
As a matter of fact, there’s a growing trend of people and data/research to prove that there are many, many professions out there that young people of today will be enormously successful in that do not require a college degree. So, let’s get out of that single focus and just be inquisitive. “What are your plans?” It’s a much better question. Congratulations to all our graduates.
I remember what an exciting time it was. I can especially remember it for my kids. It was a very exciting time, very fearful, but exciting nonetheless. However you choose to enjoy this transitional chapter, I hope you find that there are way more things to celebrate that far outweigh the fears, the trepidations, of all the adventures coming up ahead.
I’d love to know if you know of a graduate, what are their plans? I’m always taking unofficial polls about what kids are doing and what is of interest to them, what lights them up.
My kids are 28 and 32, making me a little out of touch with the grad thing these days. So, what’s up with new graduates today? Share your thoughts at Ask@JanetKrebs.com. I’d love to hear from you as always! Bye for now.
