Note: each month we're giving parents of seniors a spiritually encouraging "checklist" to capture the best moments from senior year. Sign up to automatically get these articles as monthly emails HERE.

August: The Countdown of Last Moments Begins

It’s happening. The FINAL YEAR before your teen flies the nest has arrived. Please do not be alarmed if you find yourself crying on their first day school or preparing a GIANT keepsake box to save every shred of memorabilia that comes through your door over the next twelve months.

This is to be expected.

After all, this is the year of last moments. The last first-day-of-school-photo. The last time they play their favorite high school sport or sing in the choir. The last homecoming. The last prom. And perhaps the last year they spend sleeping under your roof.

This is also a year of firsts. If they’re college-bound, they’ll write their first college application essays and fill out financial paperwork. Or they’ll plan for their first full-time job and interview. Or they’ll enlist to serve our country.

Whether it’s lasts or firsts, one thing is certain: the time will move by faster than you’ll like. There’s nothing you can do about this, but here are three ideas to start the year off making the most of every moment:

3 Ideas for August

A memory to capture: Their last first day of school

Parent, this is no time to hold back. It's time to make A Big Deal about the senior year, so set aside a bin for things to save (ex. last football ticket or band program or...), and get that camera ready to document it all, starting with a photo from their last first day of high school.

(Psst! Helpful tip: plan now for your yearbook ad and avoid being the end-of-the-year procrastinator racing around to meet a deadline. I’ve done that. It’s stressful.)

>> Related: new school year bring a new spiritual focus

A conversation to have: Set goals

Some kids love setting goals, and others don’t plan beyond the next five minutes. Regardless of which category your teen falls into, encourage them to share their expectations for this final year of high school. To help, here’s a super-simple goal-setting worksheet you can do as a family.

>> Related: helping kids set goals and manage time

An exercise to let go: Teaching time-management

Before you know it, your teen will be responsible for getting themselves up on time, setting and meeting appointments, managing activities and homework, feeding themselves, and getting enough rest. If they’re not doing any of these things on their own right now, this is the perfect time to prompt them to start. Choose one or more things listed and let them take new responsibility this month.

>> Related podcast: 6 hot-mess confessions from moms on the first day of school

Parting parenting inspiration:

1 Corinthians 1:8

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

Next up: being their "groupie" (even when they resist)

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