If your daughter is nearing the end of high school, she (and you!) are in for some very serious changes soon. Culturally, young adults are usually expected to move out of their family’s home and go on to either attend college or begin a job. These are wonderful milestones, but parents would do well to make sure their teens really are ready before making the jump. Here are 3 questions to ask to determine whether your daughter is move-out ready:

• Discuss her plan and make it a regular conversation (College or job)?
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  Sometimes young people are so determined to assert their independence that they abruptly decide to move out without having any goals or really knowing what it takes to make it on their own. It’s true that plans often change, and though she may not have her college major set in stone or might change jobs in a year, your daughter needs to have a solid plan for what she will do when she leaves the nest.
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• Set her up for financial success [pullquote]Living away from home will require that she has certain skills related to identifying, managing, and expressing emotions in a positive way.[/pullquote]
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  Families can have different approaches to how their children’s college is covered. Parents may pay for her expenses, she may be required to cover certain costs, or some combination of the two. Even if you are fully funding her lifestyle when she moves out, she needs to have a basic understanding of how to take care of herself financially: the differences between wants and needs, what things take priority (rent, food, tuition, transportation), what things are luxuries, etc. Talk with her often about what it means to be financially responsible.
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• Emotionally resiliency is a MUST
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  Living away from home will require that she has certain skills related to identifying, managing, and expressing emotions in a positive way. There can be a lot of stress and uncertainty, so before she signs a lease with roommates, make sure she has some experience in successfully handling things like academic struggles, problems with friendships, and other unexpected disappointments.  You can help her to develop this skill set.
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No matter how intelligent or responsible a teen girl is, no matter how good her plan is, she will have some major life adjustments as she lives away from home – so expect it. That’s what it means to grow up! You as her parent can help her prepare to make this important transition and to prepare for the unexpected disappointments and changes in plans.  Time for her to blast off!

Related Article: Is Your Daughter Prepare for College and Beyond…Emotionally?

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Empowering Families By Strengthening Girls & Women

At Warrenton Women’s Counseling Center, we work with girls of all ages (teenagers, adult women, mothers, and daughters). Our work is done face-to-face, online or via phone. We would love to hear from you and help to empower you and/or your daughter.
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Michelle Kelley, LCSW is a licensed counselor and  owner of Warrenton Women’s Counseling Center. We work with girls and women of all ages. Our motto is to empower families by strengthening girls and women. For more information, call (540) 316-6362 or email Michelle@WarrentonWomensCounselingCenter.com