Tips for Middle School Parents
posted on Strong for Life
So, you’re the parent or caregiver of a middle schooler. Welcome to the club! This can be one of the most challenging parenting tests you’ve faced so far. While your child is testing boundaries and limits, it may feel like what’s really being tested is your patience.
Understanding what’s going on with your middle schooler can go a long way toward fostering healthy relationships and creating some peace in your home.
While every child and family are different, here are some pointers to help you navigate the challenging middle-school years.
Normal emotional changes in middle schoolers
It’s normal to find that your middle schooler is more tearful, emotional, angry or short-tempered than ever before. Your child may also begin to spend more time alone in their room. Maybe your teen is quieter or more reserved. As hormonal changes occur, these are all normal behaviors for children at this age.
In middle school, children begin to connect more with their peers and a bit less with you, their parents or caregivers. This is a healthy part of children gaining a new sense of independence, seeing themselves as “separate” from their parents. While a child’s desire for alone time is normal, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life licensed therapist Erin Harlow-Parker, APRN, warns, “Withdrawing from parents and focusing on peers is appropriate, but complete isolation and not having interactions with family may be cause for concern.” So, give your middle schooler space, but be aware when it becomes a consistent habit or when your middle schooler seems to consistently be withdrawn. If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, reach out to your pediatrician about getting additional help.