Parenting Tips: Easing the Transition to Middle School

As a parent, you’re always concerned about your child. Her passage into middle school marks a critical period for her as she moves towards more independence. It’s critical that she be allowed to do so and that you help her by letting go.

So as back to school becomes just school, how can you help your tween daughter better adjust to middle school? Here are some parenting tips and parenting advice to help you let go and let your daughter take her first steps towards independence.

1. Think in terms of coach, not manager – When you’re child was smaller, you were pretty much the micro manager of all of her daily time and activities. Everything from getting socks on to drinking juice had to be carefully watched and monitored with you providing step by step directions all along the way. And there is nothing wrong with that – that’s exactly what your daughter needed to learn how to take care of herself.

However as she moves into middle school, you should start to think of yourself more as a coach, not as a manager. A coach cheers, supports and provides direction, but can’t play the game for the child.

2. Help her keep her own schedule - You may be used to the master planner, scheduling soccer practices, ballet lessons and other activities, but now that your daughter is in middle school, she will have to manage extracurricular activities along with academic responsibilities. As a parent-coach, your job is not to keep her schedule for her, but to help her manager it herself. Come up with a time management system both of you can use – there is no sense forcing her to follow your favorite style – and help her stick to it. It may be as simple as a designated homework pad in which she writes down all assignments for that day and their due date. Or she may prefer a more organized planner. Or a folder for each class. You know your daughter, so figure out something that works for her – don’t worry about what anyone else is doing.

3. Build Your Team - Parenting today takes teamwork. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to get to know your child’s teachers, coaches, mentors and counselors. This is especially important if you’re a single parent. Building a team that includes teachers, neighbors and others will ensure that you’re not in this alone. Even if you’re a stay at home mom, having this parenting team can greatly help you help your daughter. Yes, you may have to listen to some unwanted parenting advice, but you’ll likely get a few gems in there as well.

Moms and Dads – Put in your best parenting tips for easing the transition to middle school in the comments below….