Peace at Home Blog

Big Feelings Ahead: Celebrate and Support Your Teen Through End-of-Year Milestones

May 5, 2025 | Ruth Freeman

The end of the school year brings a whirlwind of excitement for teens—proms, graduations, summer jobs, and the promise of more independence. It’s a season of celebration, but also one filled with high emotions, unexpected risks, and big transitions.

How can you support your teen’s growing independence while keeping them safe and grounded? And – while feeling calm and grounded yourself?

I vividly remember watching my daughter getting ready for senior prom. She was so happy, beautiful and grown up at nearly 18! The smiles were making our cheeks ache and we were so proud we could have popped. High school was done and college just over the horizon. But those milestones also meant letting her go, saying goodbye and I could hardly bear it. 

It is a fundamental and bittersweet paradox at the heart of being a parent: we are preparing them to live away from us when every instinct says keep them close – trusting them to stay safe while allowing them to make mistakes. Could I trust her to make good choices (not least that night) but also in the next several months. Was she ready? Was I ready? And how would I know?

How’s a parent supposed to navigate these transitions when the stakes are so high?

Here’s one way:

Join us for a dynamic Lunch & Learn conversation with two leading mental health experts:

• Ruth Freeman, LCSW, founder of Peace At Home Parenting
  
• Marc Lehman, LMFT, founder of UAreHeard and specialist in teen and young adult mental health
  

Together, Ruth and Marc will share practical tips and insights to help you:

• Stay meaningfully connected with your teen
  
• Encourage independence without losing touch
  
• Navigate the emotional and social challenges that come with this milestone season – for all of you.
  

Bring your questions.
Connect with other parents.
Leave with strategies you can use right away.