faith
Leading Teens into
Life After High School
BY SHERI WOHLFERT | PHOTO BY MAGNIFIC.COM
H elping teens plan for life after parents to think about their kids growing up and taking on the world. It’s mighty because society has given teens a pretty tilted view of what success and the future look like. I’d like to offer some thoughts about this fork in the road. THE FIRST STEP Turn to the Father in prayer. Jeremiah 29:11 promises that God has a plan for each of us, and we need to turn to Him first and seek His inspiration and guidance. As parents, we should pray that our kids yield to His voice rather than to the sounds of the world. It’s not a secret code to crack; the Father who perfectly created us is delighted to show us His perfect will for our lives. high school is a mighty task. It’s mighty because it’s emotional for A NEW QUESTION Instead of asking, “What are your plans after graduation?” ask, “What do you like to do?” or “What kind of person do you want to become?” Focus on what brings your teen joy and sparks their passion, or on what allows them to share their unique gifts and talents with the world.
THE BIG PICTURE Help your teen take a big-picture view and ponder the question, “How would you like to make the world better, and what gifts, talents, and abilities has God given you to help you do that?” JUMP IN Take your time and come up with a short list of ideas that grow out of the first three steps, then jump in and try them out. Spend time talking, listening, watching, and doing the things on the list. If your child wants to be a teacher, an afternoon job shadow won’t paint a clear picture; help them find a place to really immerse themselves and gain a fuller understanding. TRUTH College is fabulous, but it isn’t the only option—in many cases, it isn’t even the best one. Our kids are not second-class citizens if they make a different choice than a university education. We need to encourage them to let their post–high school experience be guided by their passions and skills. Trade school, community college, and an array of alternative job-training programs and military service have produced some of the happiest,
most successful, and productive professionals I know.
TAKE TIME If your teen is searching and unsure, it makes sense to let them take time to make a decision that will affect the rest of their life. Taking a gap year to explore and inquire is a great idea. A gap year isn’t a year of TV and sleeping in—it’s a year of service, work, internships, and deep prayer. Think of it as a career test drive. THE TRUE WORK Each of us was created to be a saint, so our career is a vehicle to fortify our sainthood. It is through our work that we grow in holiness. We need to pray for this true work as much as our kids do. Being open is key—open to a vocation, to a career path, or to an educational path, and, most of all, open to the fact that God may be calling our kids to do something we never even imagined. Whatever path or work our children choose, we should remind them to choose something that will help lead them to heaven and allow them to bring glory to God.
18 JUNE 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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