Graduation season is a time when teens are reflecting back on the memories and accomplishments they’ve made during their high school years. It’s also a time when families are looking forward to what’s next and taking steps towards teens living more independently from day-to-day parental supervision. Remember a parents’ influence still remains strong, even when teens are venturing out on their own with college and other new experiences – you are the No. 1 influence on your teens’ decision-making. Your support, guidance and open communication plays a key role in helping teens prepare to handle what’s next in their lives.

To help you and your teens prepare for graduation and all that’s to follow, consider having these conversations:

1.    Talk about responsibility.

Your teens will be taking on new independence and responsibilities as they head into their next phase of young adulthood. To prepare them, have continued conversations with them about responsibilities that relate to things as simple as laundry, and including finances, social situations or day-to-day tasks. Help them be prepared for this next phase of their life.