I Don’t Know When to Step In or Step Back

You’re unsure when to step in—and when to step back. You want to support without overwhelming, and the balance feels unclear.

CHECK FIRST
Pause and consider:
Is my senior functioning day to day?
Are they open to support right now?
Am I responding to fear—or to what I actually see?
Have they asked for help—or space?
Both support and restraint can be caring.

THEN
Choose a posture that fits the moment.

Option 1: Stay available without directing
Presence matters more than instruction.

Option 2: Ask before intervening
Permission preserves trust.

Option 3: Adjust as needed
What worked before may need to change.

PAUSE
There isn’t one correct balance. Responsiveness matters more than precision.

NOTES / REFLECTION
If it helps, reflect on:
When does my senior seem to need me most?
When do they pull away?
How can I stay supportive without crowding?

If you want to understand why senior year feels heavy right now, start with Senior Year, Season by Season.

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