( Listen on Apple Podcasts ) If you’re a parent of a high school student preparing for college, you’ve probably heard a lot about volunteer hours and how they impact college applications. But many families misunderstand what really matters when it comes to service. It’s not just about the number of hours. It’s about who your student is becoming in the process . That’s exactly what I talk about in Chapter 5 of my book, Your Next Big Step: The Complete Manual for Christian Par

( Listen on Apple Podcasts ) If you’re a parent of a high school student preparing for college, there’s one topic that tends to bring stress into the conversation pretty quickly: Standardized testing. Tests like the SAT or ACT can feel overwhelming for students, and many families aren’t quite sure how early to start preparing or how strategic they should be. That’s exactly why I address this topic in Chapter 4 of my book, Your Next Big Step: The Complete Manual for Christian

(Listen on Apple Podcasts) If you’re a parent of a high school student preparing for college, there’s something that can dramatically impact your child’s academic and career journey — and many families overlook it. Mentorship. Not just advice here and there, but intentional guidance from someone who has walked ahead of them. This is exactly what I discuss in Chapter 3 of my book, Your Next Big Step: The Complete Manual for Christian Parents and Students Preparing for College.

Learn how mentoring helps teens grow in wisdom, character, and decision-making. Discover how parents can surround high school students with trusted mentors who reinforce values, provide guidance, and prepare them for life after graduation.

High school graduation is an exhilarating time. Freedom is arriving. Independence is developing. Opportunity awaits you around every corner. Before you pick your major, fill out applications, and plan your campus tours, there is one question more important than any other: Who are you becoming? (See 2 Peter 3:18) College is a time of formation. The routines you establish, friendships you cultivate, and spiritual disciplines you maintain will mold you far more than your major e

WWW.YOURNEXTBIGSTEP.ORG One of the greatest gifts parents can give during senior year is patience in decision-making. Students can sometimes choose their major based on the dollars earned per degree or on what their friends are doing. Sometimes, they feel compelled to pick something because that’s what their parents are asking. Haste tastes sweet until decisions are made in a rush and regret sets in. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understandin

WWW.YOURNEXTBIGSTEP.ORG I don’t think I’m alone when I say that every once in a while, my wife and I find ourselves silently contemplating the same question, “Am I losing my teenager?” They are thinking for themselves. They are making adult decisions. They are preparing to leave the nest. Don’t despair. Your influence isn’t ending, it’s changing. “As you guide a child, so he will be; when he grows up, he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) The groundwork you have laid spi