Turning the Tables: Helping Your Teen Navigate Career Questions During the Holidays

When Family Asks, “So What’s Next?”

Thanksgiving is meant to be a time of joy, gratitude, and connection. But for teens who do not yet have a clear post-high school plan, it can also be one of the most uncomfortable weeks of the year.

As relatives gather, well-meaning friends and family often ask, “So, what are your plans after graduation?” For teens who are still exploring options, that simple question can feel like an interrogation.

If your teen is already anxious about not having a plan, those conversations can add pressure instead of perspective. The good news is that with your support, your teen can learn to handle these moments with confidence and curiosity.

Why These Conversations Feel So Hard

Family members often ask questions about school and career plans because they care. They want to offer encouragement or share wisdom from their own experience. Unfortunately, those questions can sometimes come across as judgment or comparison.

Your teen may hear, “You should already know what you want to do,” when the real intent is, “I want to see you succeed.”

Acknowledging that tension helps your teen feel validated. It also opens the door to a powerful mindset shift: these conversations are not tests to pass but opportunities to learn.

Coach Your Teen to “Turn the Tables”

Instead of feeling trapped by career questions, help your teen reframe them as chances to gather advice, learn about real career paths, and connect with relatives on a deeper level.

Here are a few ways to coach them to “turn the tables” during those moments:

• Ask back: “That’s a great question. How did you figure out your own career path?”

  
  

• Be curious: “What did you love about your first job? What would you do differently if you could start again?”

  
  

• Be honest: “I’m still exploring my options, but I would love your advice on what helped you make your decision.”

  
  

These responses redirect pressure into perspective. They invite genuine dialogue and allow teens to learn how careers actually evolve over time.

Prepare for Career Questions Ahead of Time

You can help your teen feel more confident by practicing these conversations before the family gathering.

Ask questions like:

• “What kind of comments usually make you feel stressed?”

  
  

• “How could you respond in a way that feels true to you?”

  
  

• “What questions could you ask to learn more about someone’s career journey?”

  
  

This type of preparation helps teens manage anxiety and feel more in control of how they respond.

Reflect Together Afterward

After the holiday, take time to talk with your teen about what they heard and learned. Ask:

• “What stories or advice stood out to you?”

  
  

• “Did anyone’s path surprise you?”

  
  

• “How did you feel about the way you handled questions this year?”

  
  

This reflection builds self-awareness and confidence. It also helps your teen see that they are not behind, they are simply in a season of discovery.

Encourage Growth, Not Perfection

These family interactions can be messy, but they are also meaningful. Every conversation helps your teen practice communication, confidence, and curiosity, skills they will use in any career.

Remind them that it is okay not to have everything figured out. What matters most is that they are thinking, asking, and exploring.

Help Your Teen Build Confidence About Their Future

If your teen is ready to move from uncertainty to clarity, now is the perfect time to plan ahead for the new year.

Registration for the January 2026 World Changers Academy College and Career Program opens soon. It is designed to help teens identify their strengths, explore career options, and build a practical post-high school plan they can be proud of.

You can also explore private one-on-one coaching options for more personalized guidance. Learn more at stephaniehaynes.net and schedule a free discovery call to talk about the best fit for your teen.