Building and maintaining friendships tops the list of middle school challenges today, followed closely by achieving academic success. The first three chapters of A Parent’s Guide to the Middle School Years provide strategies for overcoming these challenges.
I would love to hear from you. Join the discussion by sending me your questions, comments, ideas and ramblings. The show improves and so does your child's journey through the middle school years, when you contribute.joe@thinking-forward.com
“Good job” has become cliché among parents today. Ten year olds finishing their dinner and teens who finish their homework on time now garner praise. Without the presence of real challenge in their lives, kids begin to settle for merely surviving and expect praise for doing it. Focus your praise on acknowledging the effort that comes with challenging achievements.
I would love to hear from you. Join the discussion by sending me your questions, comments, ideas and ramblings. The show improves and so does your child's journey through the middle school years, when you contribute.joe@thinking-forward.com
Next to failing a class, most kids fear becoming friendless in their transition from elementary to middle school. Today’s show is dedicated to a young guy who sent me an email this past week in which he shared his concern for finding friends in the coming year. Taken directly from chapter one of A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years, the three strategies in today’s show are sure to ease the mind of even the most socially anxious kids.
I would love to hear from you. Join the discussion by sending me your questions, comments, ideas and ramblings. The show improves and so does your child's journey through the middle school years, when you contribute.joe@thinking-forward.com
While researching for my upcoming book I had the good fortune of meeting these twin boys who are headed into middle school next year. Although they share many of the same characteristics, attending the same middle school isn't one of them.
I would love to hear from you. Join the discussion by sending me your questions, comments, ideas and ramblings. The show improves and so does your child's journey through the middle school years, when you contribute.joe@thinking-forward.com
I love sharing stories like Kelvin’s, where effort and achievement gain the recognition of peers and adults. Kelvin’s induction to the National Junior Honor Society this year included the distinction of sharing a speech on the topic of character. With permission from Kelvin and Mom I have included the speech below:
The green candle and its light combined with the light from the others, represents growth. Each of us must grow in character. Character is really what we are. It combines our attitudes regarding scholarship, citizenship, service and leadership into action. Our actions they reflect who we are by what we do. This is character.
Each person here must work toward the many qualities embodied in character: honesty, cooperation courtesy, fair play and self sacrifice are but a few. It is the force of character that echoes strength.
Congratulations Kelvin on a truly incredible achievement, one which I am sure will inspire amazing events in the future.
I would love to hear from you. Join the discussion by sending me your questions, comments, ideas and ramblings. The show improves and so does your child's journey through the middle school years, when you contribute.joe@thinking-forward.com
