Now that it’s 2020, the fact that my last child is graduating High School and going on to the next thing has really hit me hard! My job that took up so much of my time, the care, raising, and educating tiny humans so that they will become kind, smart, engaged BIG humans- is coming to a close. Actually, I think it’s just going from full-time to part time, because parenting NEVER ends... right?

In our homeschooling family, we’ve explored all the options for life after high school, including college, trade school and starting a career. After graduation. my daughter became an entrepreneur and started her own business, which is flourishing. My son, who will graduate in June, is exploring Law Enforcement and college as a next step, while getting his feet wet in a corporate office job before college. In homeschooling, we are used to being part of groups of people or all ages. Most of our co-op classes were of large age gaps, from ages 8-18, and my children are used to working with different groups. For public school kids, that’s less common, but the truth is once you get out of school, you’re rarely in a position where you are working with people only your own age. Most places are filled with a myriad of ages, and backgrounds, I thought that one of the biggest things that happens once you step into the real world is that you're now in a place or so many different things- people, ages, sexes, orientations, backgrounds; it's a kaleidoscope of EVERYTHING! I was looking for ways to encourage my kids to embrace the changes they were going to experience. I reached out to to Dr. Steele Flippin, author of Generation Z in the Workplace for some advice. She shared these tips of things that parents can share with their children as they move on to the next step in their lives.

5 Things To Tell Your Gen Z Kids To Succeed In The Real World

1. Learn all you can. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow, even if it’s only lateral growth for a while. Taking a change and an opportunity to do more and learn more will always serve you well!
2. Sometimes you have to compromise. You may also have to just accept conditions as they are and develop a plan to succeed with the tools available to you. Compromise does not have to mean losing; perhaps you can find middle ground. Nothing lasts forever!
3. Raise your hand. If you feel like you’re being overlooked and discounted because you don’t know everything yet, try asking for feedback and more responsibilities. Perhaps a respected, more experienced coworker can give you some feedback about how you’re doing work-wise and how you might improve.
4. Even though tech is everywhere, not everyone understands, loves it or accepts it. Try to keep in mind that your older colleagues aren’t as accustomed to the level of technology you’re used to. Find ways to share your tech knowledge with them in bite-sized portions.
5. Have a plan. If you have intentions to stay with your employer, it will be important to have a plan for short-term and long-term success. In most cases, it will be up to you to make that plan. Seek help from your manager, experienced coworkers, your human resources department, or a mentor.

Entering the workforce or the next step in their lives is very exciting for my children, and it is for me as well, even if it is bittersweet. I’m glad I’m able to offer them advice on how to move ahead, but I am sure they know the most important advice of all: that I believe in them 100 percent and that they can do anything they put their minds to.