We love to celebrate our graduating seniors at The Bridge Church! Whether your son or daughter is heading off to college, joining the military, or entering the workforce, ages 17–18 are a crucial season for intentionally preparing them to step into adulthood and live a God-honoring life. Sometimes, parents can unintentionally hinder that growth through overprotection or a lack of intentional preparation. 

As the parent of an older teen on the verge of adulthood, you have an important role to play as their coach. You can’t force them to believe a certain thing or behave a certain way, but you can motivate, encourage, challenge, and offer wise counsel. You can help them articulate what they believe, challenge their thinking, and remind them of the “basics” they’ve learned throughout their childhood and teenage years. This is the time when your child must begin to truly own his or her faith, beliefs, decisions, and choices.