The Middle School Parent Resource

Show #230 – Friends and Grades, A Middle Schooler’s top 2 challenges

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

Show #229 –Praise that has value for kids

“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

Show #198 - "How confidence and connection lead to success”

Interviewing future 8th grader and current entrepreneur Jason was truly a treat. His confidence and ability to articulate ideas would rival most adults. Jason’s business Pencilbugs.com drew my attention when I was searching for middle schoolers as part of my research for an upcoming book. Through a series of conversations culminating in yesterday’s phone interview I learned about the confidence that Jason has developed as a result of growing his business; a confidence that he attributes to his parents and their support of his passion.

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

Show #192 - "Middle Schoolers are truly inspiring, especially these twin boys"

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

Show #190– “Does your middle schooler have potential?”

Although your high school physics teacher may have implied that a ball has the potential to move across the floor, the word “potential” doesn’t hold much meaning when it comes to describing a child’s ability to succeed. Unlike the ball that required your effort to spring to life a child cannot be pushed to reach her true potential unless she truly desires the destination (life, goal, pursuit). Parents do however, have the ability to create opportunities that may ignite the energy (potential) within their children.

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