Does It Make Cents? Does It Make Sense? Questions to Ask Before Senior Year

Ask before they decide.

A Parent’s Guide to Your Teen’s Next Step. For parents of high school students.

Ideal for families of sophomores and juniors, before senior year decides.

Senior year is coming, and everyone is going to ask your teen the same thing: “So, what’s next?”

Here’s what I’ve seen as a school counselor: most families don’t have a plan. They have a default. Whatever the school suggested. Whatever their friends did. Whatever “everyone” does.

And somewhere along the way, two questions never get asked:

Does it make sense for this kid?

Does it make cents for this family?

Not “what’s your passion?” Not “what do you want to be?” Most of us couldn’t answer that at 15 either.

Why this guide exists

Whether it’s a four-year college, a community college, a trade program, an apprenticeship, or going straight to work, no path starts ahead of the others. I made this guide to help families choose their next step on purpose, by asking the same questions about every option.

A short, practical PDF you can work through in one evening, with a printable side-by-side worksheet.

What’s inside

• Questions about fit: whose idea this is, what they’re excited about, what’s making them nervous
• Questions about cost: what it really costs, what it pays, and what happens if the plan changes
• Conversation starters: what to say to your teen, and what to skip, so they actually talk to you
• A side-by-side worksheet: compare any paths on the same lines, so no option gets a head start
• Next steps and places to start: what to do after you talk

No pressure. No lecture. No perfect decision required. Just a next step you’ve both thought through.

Your teen deserves more than “that’s what everyone does.” So do you.

Instant download after purchase. Licensed for one family, so please don’t share or forward.

Questions? doesitmakesensedc@gmail.com