Admit it. It seems like yesterday when someone handed us that bundle of joy and we realized parenthood had arrived. And now we are sending them into middle school, off to make decisions and face choices that are oh, so much more complex than which crayon to pick out of the 64 box with a built-in sharperner. (I always wanted one of those; I only had 24 in my box. the girl next to me in Kindergarten would let me sharpen mine in her 64 box. I would color fast and furiously so it would get all dull and round so I could tear that paper off and sharpen it again and again. My magenta was just a stump by the second week of school...but I digress! )
Anyway....for those of you with 6th graders, I want to assure you that they will be okay in this environment. In fact, they may even surprise you at how well they adapt to all the changes, multiple teachers, and the experiences they face. And in the event that there are challenges that you feel need a bit more help, encourage them to problem-solve on their own and as a parent, be supportive in the process. If you need advice on resources, please feel free to contact me via email and I will help link you to the proper place. Make plans to attend Transitions on the 10th and 17th of September to meet other parents and gain some valuable information on parenting your new sixth grader.
For 7th and 8th grade parents, you are probably pro's at this by now, and you are watching your child grow before your eyes. Keep in touch with them through these years and build relationships so that as challenges come up, you can be a source of support for them. Academic planning becomes more and more important during these years, as the classes they take now affect their choices for high school classes, which in turn affects colleges they may apply to and degree plans they may follow in high school. Our counselors are excellent resources for both academic and personal concerns and they can assist you and your student with more information.
The choices before us as parents become increasingly more complex as we struggle with the right amount of independence to give our children and the expected levels of responsibility to go hand in hand with that. It's not as easy as that box of crayons anymore, but it certainly can be just as exciting!
Till next week....
Bonne
Your Parent Support Specialist