The Middle School Parent Resource

Show #106 – “What kind of gun should I use to kill that kid?”

True story! Two weeks ago I received an email from Michelle, mom to a 6th grade boy. Here’s what the message read,

“My son is in 6th grade and two other boys have been calling him name and harassing him at school. This weekend the talk escalated to the boys leaving a voice mail "tell your mom we are coming to get you and she better make sure she doesn't open the door" and text message "I'm coming to your house to get you today".

After my encouragement to seek out support from the school’s principal and local police department Michelle sent the following message this morning,

“We have filed a police report but the local authorities say there is nothing they can do due to this kid's age. The bully has been out of school the last few days so the principal has been unable to speak to him. I do not know what kind of punishment the school has in mind for him. However, if they allow him to continue in school we are planning on transferring our child to another school due to the concern over his safety. There was a note on Friday from another child to my child that said this bully had asked what kind of gun he should use to kill my child. Unfortunately this is hearsay. And this child lives in our neighborhood.”

Hey, here is a mom who needs some support. Send your ideas, comments and suggestions for Michelle and I will forward them on. Comments here or emails to mailto:joe@thinking-forward.com. Thanks for stepping up! Having the strength of a team is going to save this 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 #87- "What do computers, chainsaws and gasoline have in common?”

Would you give your child a chainsaw or a gallon of gasoline with a book of matches? The obvious answer, “No!” Yet, kids today spend most of their computer time unsupervised, leaving them at risk for a host of questionable content. What’s the answer? I don’t have one, but I do have a few ideas focused on responsible computer use in your home.

Are you wondering about something specific? What question do you hope I will answer about the middle school years?  Send in your questions. Many of the topics I talk about come directly from viewers. You can either add questions in the comments section below or send them to me directly at joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #24 - "Cell phones and text messaging with your middle schooler"

In the past decade cell phones have become a transparent part of the teen culture. What are the expectations for when and how your child uses their cell phone? Today's show helps you define the "no cell zone" in your home as well as a few additional ideas for managing cell phone madness.


If you are having trouble viewing the video above click here to see it in quicktime format.

Are you wondering about something specific? What question do you hope I will answer about the middle school years?  Send in your questions. Many of the topics I talk about come directly from viewers. You can either add questions in the comments section below or send them to me directly at joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #19 - "Cyberbullying - How do you know and what to do about it"

Are you concerned about cyberbullying? Today's show focuses on identifying if your child has become the victim of cyberbullying, and the steps you can take to bring it to an end.


If you are having trouble viewing the video above click here to see it in quicktime format.

Are you wondering about something specific? What question do you hope I will answer about the middle school years?  Send in your questions. Many of the topics I talk about come directly from viewers. You can either add questions in the comments section below or send them to me directly at joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #18 - "Is your child spending too much time online?"

Do you see the back of your child's head more than his face? How much time should your child spend in front of a computer screen? Today's show focuses on identifying how middle schoolers use computers, and creating a set of realistic expectations for computer use at home.


If you are having trouble viewing the video above click here to see it in quicktime format.

Are you wondering about something specific? What question do you hope I will answer about the middle school years?  Send in your questions. Many of the topics I talk about come directly from viewers. You can either add questions in the comments section below or send them to me directly at joe@thinking-forward.com