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You are here: Home / Dad / What your child needs to know about middle school

What your child needs to know about middle school

August 20, 2012 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

Whether it happens in sixth or seventh grade in your school district, the transition from elementary to middle school can be a nerve-wracking time for many kids. It doesn't help that older kids have probably been filling your little one's head with middle school scare tactics – warning of rampant "swirleys" in the bathroom or doctorate-level homework assignments. Here are a few tips for debunking these myths and making the transition seem less daunting.

1. Upperclassmen bullies

New middle school students are often terrified of being bullied or getting into hallways fights with upperclassmen – an idea that many older kids enjoy perpetuating. While this new social environment can have its ups and downs, remind your child that most schools have a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying, meaning that even the slightest whisper of harassment will be met with swift justice from administrators.

2. Hours of homework

Another fear that children often have about middle school is that after-school fun will now be replaced by hours of homework. It's true that schoolwork increases as your child gets older, but teachers understand that students need time to adjust to this change. During this adjustment period, you may want to make yourself more available to help with developing better study habits and handling difficult class assignments. Pretty soon, an hour or two of homework each night will feel normal.

3. Middle school labyrinth

One of the most basic concerns your child may have is that the sheer size of middle school will be overwhelming – trying to navigate the hallways, finding his or her locker and dealing with several different teachers each day. Consider taking your little one on a tour of the school and arranging to meet a few teachers before the first day of classes to show that middle school isn't so complicated.

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Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

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Welcome to another episode of Great Dad Talks! This week, I sit down with life coach and former psychologist Michael Blair to explore modern tools for family harmony, emotional healing, and child development.

Michael shares the transformative power of his unique “spin” method—a tool rooted in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)—that helps kids, parents, and even whole families quickly change negative emotional patterns in just minutes. Listen in as Michael walks Paul through an anxiety-busting spin live, explains why dads’ involvement is critical to healthy families, and shares actionable tips on self-forgiveness and resilience.

Check out Michael’s website at blaircounselingandcoaching.com

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