The Middle School Parent Resource

Show #169– “Make the connection between effort and achievement with your child”

Do you remember hearing your parents say, “You need to earn it”? Today’s breed of middle schooler, along with kids of the past, don’t get the connection between effort and achievement. The “A” your child receives on her report card didn’t get there by accident. Scoring five goals in a soccer game doesn’t happen with luck. When achievements are acknowledged the bigger lesson learned is acknowledging the effort it took to get there. Think long term. The years beyond college will challenge your child. Pursuing a job, buying a new car and marriage are but a few of the mighty endeavors likely to head your child’s way. With the knowledge of what it means to persevere today, your child will achieve greatness tomorrow.

Does your middle schooler have you completely confused, frustrated or confused and frustrated? I would love to hear from you? Send me an email with your story. joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #168– “The Parents University – Your solution to a worry-free trip through the middle school years”

Do you ever wake up worried about your child? Over the years the worry seems to grow in intensity. A friend and father of three boys once shared with me, “The sphere of worry continues to grow as your kids get older. When they’re toddlers you only worry about them bumping into furniture. During the elementary school years you worry about them straying too far from home in the neighborhood. But when kids hit middle school suddenly the sphere of worry expands to include the entire city and in some cases the country (a reference to his son’s 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.). Today I launched The Parent University as a solution for parents looking to take the worry about of their child’s middle school experience. After talking with thousands of parents at hundreds of schools the anxiety most people feel can be slotted into one of three categories: confidence, connection and challenge. Through a series of videos, book excerpts, audio commentary and the inclusion of an online community of parents, The Parent University brings together over 20 years of experience to create the resource for parents traversing the middle school years. For $24.95 you get 24/7 access for as long as you want it and for the next 30 days I’m including a copy of my book A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years for no additional fee. Enjoy!

Does your middle schooler have you completely confused, frustrated or confused and frustrated? I would love to hear from you? Send me an email with your story. joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #167– “Bad parent or irresponsible middle schooler?”

In the moments following a recent parent education event a mom in the audience shared how relieved she felt in hearing that her son’s missing homework assignments were not her responsibility. Her perception had been, if my child forgets his homework then I’m a bad parent. As parents we take on an enormous responsibility from the earliest of years. One of the greatest challenges parents and kids face during the middle school years is the shifting level of responsibility. Fixing a child’s lunch, packing up the homework and picking out matching clothes were responsibilities connected with the elementary school years. As you move into the middle school years gradually letting go of the items on your parent’s to-do list paves the way for your child to make a smooth transition into life as an independent adult. Today’s show shares two strategies for helping you through the responsibility transition gauntlet.

Does your middle schooler have you completely confused, frustrated or confused and frustrated? I would love to hear from you? Send me an email with your story. joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #166– “What or Who Inspires your Middle School Child?”

If your first thought, in response to the question above is, “nothing, T.V. or video games” it’s time to make a change. The timing couldn’t be better with summer looming on the horizon. Today’s show looks at three strategies for bringing inspiration into your child’s life.

Do you have a show idea or question you have wondered about? Send it to me either in an email or leave it in a comment here on the site. joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #165– “Staying Connected with your Middle Schooler”

Relationships change over time. The connection between parents and kids during the middle school years can change almost overnight. Long walks through the park or a trip to the movies have been replaced by requests for shuttle service to the mall for your child and her friends. New connections develop. Kids develop new friendships and seek advice from other adults in their life. Building a T.E.A.M of supportive adults can be the glue that gets you and your child through the moments whether neither one of you feels like talking. I use T.E.A.M. as an acronym for anyone who has the ability to motivate, encourage, advocate for or motivate your child. The challenge today is to connect with five new T.E.A.M. members during the coming summer months. Today’s show lays the groundwork for building these connections.

Do you have a show idea or question you have wondered about? Send it to me either in an email or leave it in a comment here on the site. joe@thinking-forward.com