Graduating High School
This is an emotional moment for not only the graduate but also for parents, siblings, and extended family. It is a time of both endings and beginnings. Honoring and celebrating these multiple layers is important.

    Here are a few ideas we have done at Faith Lutheran Church to mark this moment for the graduate and the parents. We have a joint event for both the parents and the graduates. They split up for part of the time to talk about what they are feeling as this transition approaches. They the two groups come back together to share a little of what they talked about. We end the event with mutual blessings. The graduate blesses his/her parents and the parents bless their child. It is very moving for everyone.

Bring in an "expert".
    When meeting with the parents separately, it is good to have a few extra parents in attendance to talk about their experience of already launching their child into college. This is helpful for two reasons. Families who's first child is leaving home are very nervous. They do not know what to expect. Many times they are afraid of all the emotion they are feeling, wondering if that is normal. Having parents who have been through it and have clearly survived, give the nervous parents some perspective. The "expert" parents can assure the first timers that everything they are feeling is normal and a healthy part of parenting.
    Second, even parents who have already sent one child to college need to be reminded that every child is different. That can be done with stories from experienced parents who have learned to accept each of their children as their own person.  Parents need to adapt and adjust their expectations (of both the launch and the college experience) for each child.
    This conversation needs to be planned with plenty of time for questions and conversation among the parents.

Prayer Partners for the family as they move through this time of transition.
    Each family is assigned a prayer partner from the congregation that simply pray for them over the summer and into the fall. The prayer partners are parents who have recently gone through a similar transition in their family. There are no other assigned tasks - just to hold the family in prayer. This is one way to keep recognize this transition as holy in the midst of overwhelming details and emotions.

Prayer Books for the graduates. 
    Our Director of Youth Ministry, Jen Bradbury, created Prayer Books (along with many members of the congregation) for the graduates. Read about the books and her emotional reaction as she made them. 
    

Resource book for parents

I Just Want my Kids to be Happy!
Why you Shouldn't Say it, Why You Shouldn't Think It, What You Should Embrace Instead
by Aaron Cooper & Eric Keitel
This is a great resource for parents to help them negotiate the changing and maturing relationship with their young adult child. We give this book to all the parents.

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Sticky Faith: Everyday ideas to build lasting faith in your kids by Dr. Kara E. Powell & Dr. Chap Clark

This is a great resource for not only the end of high school milestone but to use throughout high school as a touchpoint for all conversations, bible study and mission trips. There are many practical ideas to frame discussions and mentoring relationships with the teens in our congregations. The book also includes help for parents noting that, "how you [parents] express and live your faith will have, all things being equal, a greater impact on your child's life that any other factor." (p.184)

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