the happy chaos of end-of-year milestones and the new season of parenting

June feels like a whirlwind, doesn't it? The end-of-school chaos is real — the kind that fills the calendar, clutters the kitchen counter with invitations, diplomas, and college paperwork, and fills your heart with a tangled mix of pride, awe, and...something else you can’t quite name.

This year feels especially big. Two of mine are heading off to college in the fall. Huge milestones. Life-changing transitions. For them and for me.

It’s the kind of season that makes you pause in the middle of folding laundry or cleaning out the car and think: How did we get here so fast? It’s beautiful, it’s messy, it’s emotional. It’s the happy chaos of letting go a little — or maybe a lot — and stepping into a new phase of parenting.

And here’s the truth I keep coming back to: parenting starts to look different now. It’s less about managing the day-to-day and more about holding space. It’s less “do your homework” and more “I’m here if you need to talk.” It’s watching them take the reins, stumble, thrive, and figure out who they are out in the world.

And I wonder — how will I feel in August, when we pack up the car and unload the bins into a dorm room? How will it feel to drive away?

One thing I do know: I will not let my limiting beliefs get in the way of their dreams. I won’t let my fear of change, my longing to keep them close, or my worry about “what ifs” shrink the space they need to grow.

So, I keep doing the inner work. I keep reflecting, healing, showing up for myself — not perfectly, but with love and intention. Because being the best version of me is not only a gift to myself, it’s a way I continue to parent in the most honest and supportive way I can.

I owe it to myself.

I owe it to my teens.

We’re all growing up together — just in different ways.

If you’re ready to start doing the inner work, here are two powerful first steps:

1. Notice your thoughts without judgment.
   Awareness is everything. Start paying attention to the stories you’re telling yourself — about parenting, about your worth, about what’s “too late” or “too hard.” Don’t try to fix or change them right away. Just notice. That gentle awareness is the first crack of light.

2. Practice self-compassion like it’s your job.
   Speak to yourself the way you would your teen if they were scared, unsure, or overwhelmed. Inner work begins with kindness. When you miss the mark or fall into old patterns, remind yourself: I’m learning. I’m growing. I get to begin again.

And if you’re finding this transition hard — whether you’re a parent bracing for the letting go, or a teen stepping into the unknown — I got you.

Life coaching is a powerful way to hold space for yourself or your teen. A space to process the emotions, untangle the fears, and build the confidence to step into this next chapter with clarity and courage. You don’t have to navigate this season alone. Let’s walk it together.

👉 Click [here] to schedule a free discovery session or reach out to me directly at carinrassiercoaching@gmail.com. I’d love to connect with you!