If your senior is still working on applications, try changing…
“How close are you to finishing your applications?”
to…
“I know you’re working hard on your applications. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Your teen will probably decline, but it will let your kids know that you’re on their side and ready to pitch in.
Bonus tip: If your kids ask you to review their essays for them, find a friend you and your kids trust to do it. It’s hard for parents to be objective about their own kids’ stories. And your student will probably read any suggestions made by their parents as critical rather than constructive.