How to Help Your Child Navigate the Awkwardness of Middle School

Most kids are thrilled to move on up from their elementary days to the seemingly more mature world of middle school. But once they find themselves in that strange new environment, they soon realize middle school is one of the most daunting transition periods of their lives. Along with new academic demands, and the awkwardness of having to navigate a whole new social landscape, they face surging hormones and emotional challenges. 

Turns out, the new normal is not so normal at all.

These seven tools can help you and your child navigate the tricky middle school years positively. It's possible to enjoy this time instead of dreading it! We'll talk about how you can:

1. Set clear expectations for studies and free time
2. Encourage feelings
3. Make room for digital downtime
4. Nix the negative
5. Teach your tween to self-advocate
6. Stay connected, and
7. Cultivate a can-do attitude

Parenting middle schoolers is just plain hard

Each stage of parenting presents its challenges, but the middle school years can be especially tough. Researchers at Arizona State University surveyed mothers and discovered that, on average, moms of kids age 12-14 were a lot less satisfied as parents than the moms of infants, preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, and high schoolers. 

Whether they like it or not, your tween still needs boundaries and lots of guidance.

As a mom currently raising her eighth middle schooler, this data isn't a revelation—I can totally relate! Tweens are ready to exert more independence. They crave more opportunities where they don’t need as much parental supervision. That's a normal part of development. But, whether they like it or not, your tween still needs boundaries and lots of guidance.

So, let's look at how you can help keep your middle schooler on a happier track.

1. Set clear expectations for studies and free time

Once your tween gets a taste of middle school independence, she might feel unstoppable. Or she could feel the opposite—completely overwhelmed. Parental handholding may be a thing of the past with your middle schooler, but it’s still important to set clear guidelines on important areas like homework, chores and responsibilities, downtime with friends, and basic household rules.

I equate this to my full-time job as a development assistant. My boss doesn't feel the need to hover and micromanage my weekly schedule, but he does have...

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