Those Crazy Middle School Years
by An advice piece detailing the stress your middle-schooler is facing and what you, as a parent, can do to help them.
Also, the school will apply pressure to them by telling them they’re already being prepared for college. By eighth grade, I was expected to know what sort of college I wanted to go to. That would determine which “track” of high school courses I would take, leading to which type of high school diploma I would receive. That’s a big decision for a young teenager to make. After all, if they choose to go for a standard diploma, they will not receive the type of classes needed to ensure they get into a better college. A lot, meaning the next four years – at least, rides on this very decision alone.
And then there is the ever-dreaded peer pressure.
Think back to your high school days. What sort of peer pressures were there? Where you pressured to drink alcohol, do drugs, or have sex? Well, whatever peer pressure you felt in high school, that is the sort of peer pressure your middle-schooler is facing. Kids are doing everything younger these days. This causes a lot of anxiety amongst parents when their oldest child reaches this age. So, if you were thinking about putting off any of the ever-important Talks – don’t. Go ahead and have whichever talks you feel, as early in middle school as possible. Remember that the peer pressures are starting younger and younger.
And peer pressure is something that will really be doing your middle-schooler’s head in. Part of them will feel they are too young, or not the type of person, to do these things. But the pressure will still be there, nagging them constantly. They’ll feel like everyone is doing it – whatever “it” is – and they’ll feel like they’re left out if they’re the only ones who don’t.
But don’t despair. Most kids know better than to do things they’re not supposed to. But that still doesn’t take the pressure away. It’s always there, looming in the back of their minds. And it’ll be something your golden boy or girl will have to deal with all throughout school.
And now you’re probably wondering: well, if all of this is going on – what does my child need from me? What can I do best to support them and guide them?
The answer is simple: be their parent. But also be their friend. If there was ever a time they needed a mature, yet compassionate, adult to talk to, middle school would be it.
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