Spring is here and for some that means looking out the window and thinking about the outdoors, doing lawn work, anticipating outdoor activities and slipping away from the office a little earlier to enjoy the extra hours of daylight. However, for parents of high school seniors, this is by far one of the most stressful times for the family unit.  We are fast approaching April 1. Prior to having children this was simply April Fools day, play a joke on someone and have a good laugh, but for parents of college bound seniors the joke is on us. We are the fools caught up in the hype of getting our children into the college that will give us “bragging rights,”  that will tell us if their  ( and your)  hard work paid off and firmly planting in our minds that  any college that rejected my child has messed up big time. We are the fools who  have become caught up in a culture that believes that the college choice somehow  defines who you are and who they are. If your student chose to do early admission or early decision or happen receive a note “good news is on the way”  prior to April 1st, you can breathe a  small sigh of relief. But for the majority of families with high school seniors get ready!

Having been part of the process twice, this is my advice.  Remember to hold your child close. Do not assume that the increase in the not so nice words, anger or looks of ” go away ” you may have experienced in the last few weeks and will continue to experience as they sort it all out is personal. This is by far one of the most stressful times in their young lives and they are afraid. They are crossing over into adulthood. In most cases the acceptance/ rejection letters will be followed by  an understanding that this is it. They fully recognize that this is the first big decision that they have been asked to make and they are  in many cases leaving home.

Keep this in your mind and your heart. The joy of your child saying “I am in a  college” is huge. The student who has been the stellar student and the student who has struggled to get to this point is no different when they open the letter or email that announces they are wanted. It is absolute and unequivocal joy and should be celebrated in that manner.  They are  “Awesome,” “the Bomb” “and amazing. When they walk into school on April 2nd , when they announce where they got in and where they did not get in, they need to have the armour you gave them when you told them that they did it and how proud you are of them. They are in college,  let them know that you love them “No Matter What.”