Routines to Prepare your Child for Middle School

Congratulations - you have a rising middle schooler! This is a big life transition for your child, and a huge milestone for you as well. Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, they'll always be your baby.

Whether your child is starting middle school now, or in a few years. Here are some things to consider:

🖍 Keep up routines: One huge shift from elementary to middle school is the amount of communication parents receive. Their teachers will default to sharing with your child instead of you. Unfortunately, 11 year olds are not the best messengers. One way you can combat this is to keep up your after school backpack routine. Every day ask your child to out important papers in the same place so you can review them. Maybe even practice keeping a calendar together this summer so it feels natural.

🖍️ Responsibility: This is a great time to instill more responsibility in your child. Consider more tasks your child can take on.

🖍️ Listen to them: Your child will start having more complicated feelings, particularly as they make new friendships. When they were younger, you could often find a solution to everything. Now your child needs someone who can listen to them. Focus on being a person your child can safely share with, and wait a moment before offering advice.