9/15/2023 0 Comments Raising middle schoolersThe bad news is that it’s only single occupancy–you can’t stay. I call it “The Bubble,” and the good news is that you can poke your head inside and make contact. A middle schooler can be so absorbed in studying her new physical appearance, or so lost in her questions about her own existence, that she forgets to connect with the outside world. In addition to all of the physical changes, puberty brings changes to emotions, mental abilities, and spiritual growth. It might be a good time to “child proof” the house in the same way you did when they were toddlers: put the valuables up out of reach of hips and hands!Ĥ. Their arms and legs don’t end where they used to (this is the challenge of coaching this age group). Because hands and feet grow first, followed by arms and legs and then the torso, middle schoolers are clumsy. Body shape changes, hair grows in new places, voices change, faces lose their roundness. Physical changes. Between the beginning of 5th grade and the end of 8th grade, many students will grow 6-12 inches or more. When a bad mood or depression persists for more than a few days, it might be time to be concerned, but changeable moods are normal (and hard to keep up with).ģ. Middle schoolers need parents to be the anchor, a calm oasis in the midst of their giddiness, gloominess, and apathy. Hormones, changes in sleep, peer pressure–the causes of the moods are as varied as the moods themselves. Moods, moods, moods. A simple question about how the day went might be answered with 1) snarling 2) bursting into tears 3) shrugging 4) all of the above. Parents have to find the balance between giving some personal space and expecting participation in family activities, but spending some time with family should still be required.Ģ. Or, if he is with family, chances are he’ll have his headphones on. Withdrawal from the family. Remember that 7-year-old who annoyed you with, “Watch this!” and “What are you doing?” and “Guess what? Guess what?” In middle school he’d rather spend time in his room than hang out with the parents and/or siblings. Here are five classic middle school characteristics and how to handle them:ġ. Parents may not want to believe it, but–ready or not–middle school starts as early as age 9. “I told him not until he’s in 7th grade!” “I used to pick out all her outfits for her,” a mom told me recently, “but now that she’s in 5th grade, I’m not allowed to.” “He claims he’s in middle school now,” said another 5th grade mom.
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