Parenting After High School

Parenting doesn’t end when your child graduates from high school. Your young adult still needs your guidance. Learn skills and access resources to help you parent your young adult as they begin a new chapter of their life.

View these resources on a variety of topics and share the information with your young adult.

Mental Wellbeing

  • Check-In With Yourself - an online tool to help young adults in Washington State reflect on feelings, learn coping strategies, and improve well-being. Information and resources are tailored specifically for the user to provide support.

  • Supporting your College Student through Mental Health Challenges - This Parent and Family Guide is designed to help parents, primary caregivers, and families understand important things about depression and anxiety, the two most common mental health concerns among postsecondary students. The guide is provided by University of Washington Forefront Suicide Prevention Program.

  • MIYFS Counseling Services - MIYFS counseling professionals provide individual, couple’s and family counseling to help Mercer Island residents address personal challenges and manage unexpected life events. Counselors work with Islanders across the lifespan to deal with a wide range of issues. College students are able to use these services over school breaks. Call the confidential Intake Line at (206) 275-7657 to schedule an appointment or to inquire about services.


Substance Use

  • College Parents Matter - tools and resources to help parents engage in effective communication with your student including topics such as alcohol, cannabis, and related problems. Provides helpful tips for talking with your young adult about common situations that can include high-risk drinking or substance use, like 21st birthdays, spring break, and housing and roommates.

  • Podcast: Transition to College - What You Need to Know - University of Washington expert, and YFS collaborator, Dr. Jason Kilmer. Dr. Kilmer and a colleague from the Drug Enforcement Agency share critical information including how to help your student avoid drug/alcohol dangers and support mental health.

  • One Choice Prevention Toolkit - learn the science of how substances impact the developing brain and access resources to help you share the science with your children and young adults.

  • Laced and Lethal - Overdoses caused by fentanyl-laced substances are on the rise in King County. Learn why and how to keep everyone safe.

  • MIYFS Counseling Services - MIYFS counseling professionals can assist with substance use concerns. Call the confidential Intake Line at (206) 275-7657 to schedule an appointment or to inquire about services.

Resources

Resources for Parents of College Students

Keeping a line of open communication with your college student is key to parenting after high school. College Parents Matter provides tools and scripts to improve communication with your child and covers a variety of topics.

Most educational institutions offer a variety of on-campus services for students such as Counseling Services, Student Health, etc. Introduce your student to these resources before they head to campus or call ahead with your student and introduce them to the counselor. Most colleges also offer a parent orientation or a family guide with an overview of resources.

Here are samples of parent guides from various colleges/universities. Even if your child is attending a different educational institution, much of the information is applicable for all students and families: