Heather here from FamilyVolley.com and today we are talking Junior High Prep and ways you can help your child by preparing for Jr. High.
Junior High can be a scary transition! The experience is very different from elementary school and most kids worry about how things will go.
Studies show that Social Anxiety Disorder affects more than 15 million Americans, and the typical age of onset is 13 YEARS OLD. That means that the anxiety hits during junior high school. All the more reason to help our children prepare for, and deal with, this transition.
Before we jump into 3 suggestions to make sure you do before the school year starts, here are a few general reminders.
Make sure that our children know they are loved and accepted at home. They need to always know that home is a safe place for them, where they can be themselves.
We also need to teach them to manage stress. We can do this by keeping communication lines open, doing things together with our teenager, regularly, and not being critical when our children try to talk to us.
By keeping our relationship strong, we can help our children avoid much of the anxiety that comes with this age.
With the first day of school on the horizon, here are three things to do right now, to ease the first week of school jitters.
First, BE POSITIVE
Now is not the time to tell your teenager that junior high was horrible, or awkward, or lousy. (Even though many of us could do without the experience or the memories. :)) It is the time to talk about all the fun, positive, and growing experiences they will have. If we are not positive, they will not have a positive attitude about what is about to happen. Hold back on the criticism and focus on all the great things.
Second, WALK THROUGH THE SCHOOL
Take an hour and walk through the school, find your kid’s classrooms with them. Show them where they eat lunch, bathrooms, gyms, everything. Even the routes to take to get from class to class. Many schools do tours for new students, but it is even better if you can also go around with your child. They will be more comfortable with you and more likely to ask the questions or express the concers they really have. The more familiar they can be with their new school the more comfortable they will feel.
Third, FIND A LUNCH BUDDY
Did you ever find yourself without someone to eat lunch with? Ugh, it is a horrible feeling. You can feel awkward, nervous and embarrassed. Encourage your child to solidify a lunch buddy and even a meeting place so that the first day, and the subsequent first week or so of school, they have someone to eat with. This one thing will provide a great deal of comfort to them as they embark on their new experience.
Junior High can be a great experience for our children. Especially if we take a little time to help them emotionally and physically prepare for the adventure.
Have a question, or just want to say hello? You can find me at FamilyVolley.com. On Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Or send me an email. I love making new friends!
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Carolyn says
Some great tips here. Thanks for sharing