b"No 2Help them self-regulate with personal accountability. Continue to pay attention to their friend groups and choic-es. Watch how they spend their time. They still need your influence and direction, but you dont have to hover like you used to. They know whats right and whats wrong according to your family values. They know your expectations and standards. Continue to enforce your boundaries while you give them the freedom to make choices. No 3Move from trainer to influencer. Youre moving from training to coaching/influencing. Youre moving into en-couraging and sharing. Open discussion and dialogue will let them know that you respect where theyre coming from. Make suggestions instead of demands. (Try not to freak out if their perspective shocks you. How you respond will tell them if they can continue to be honest and open with you.) No 4Form your mom support group. Gather a small group of safe friends who understand the life of teens. Mom friends who are wise, trustworthy, and caring make a great team. Steer clear of those who wrestle with comparison and competition. No 5Make the parenting shift. Accept and embrace the process of letting go. As a parent you might feel that its your re-sponsibility to make your child turn into the person you want them to become. The reality is its up to them to become who they want to be. Its now up to them to make choices that align with their own future goals, desires, and wants. No 6Be intentional. Guard your family dinners, traditions, and routines that matter to you. Continue to take advantage of alone time with your teen. Your teen will always need to feel their value in the family unit. This provides stability and security for them as they spread their wings. No 7Dont forget to laugh. Although it can be an intense and stressful time during the process of letting go, it can also be fun, enjoyable, and memorable. Look for moments to interject humor. Don't forget to breath and laugh. Fairhill SchoolEducating Students with Learning Differences Fully Accredited School Grades 1-12 College Preparatory Curriculum Multi-Sensory Instruction Small Student-Teacher Ratio Dyslexia Intervention Executive Functions Program Sports, Fine Arts and Leadership OpportunitiesCall TODAY to schedule a tour!Fairhill School and Diagnostic Assessment Center16150 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75248Est. 1971 972.233.1026 | fairhill.org | fairhill@fairhill.orgGoodLifeFamilyMag.comMAY | JUNE 201957"