6 Lessons to Teach Your Middle Schooler

1. It's okay to be or feel "different". How boring would that be if we were all the same?! We're all unique in our own way. Wear those mix matched socks. It's totally awesome that you love band and all of your friends are on the volleyball team. Be the best "you" you can be. We love you and support you NO MATTER WHAT!  ( We'll discuss safety issues in private, as a family).

2. Your parents and their rules are not "dumb". They only want to keep you safe, happy, healthy, and secure. When you and your friends are doing something that they don't want your/their parents to know-you shouldn't be doing it. Period. 

3. Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose. We truly want to be able to trust you, so stop doing things you know are wrong. There are consequences to every decision you make. (See #2).

4. This too shall pass. My mother reminds me of that all of the time. It may seem like the end of the world today that you got a "C" on that test you took yesterday. Maybe you were having an "off" day. While we, as parents, want you to do your best-grades are not everything. Your willingness to never give up-that's what counts!

5. Be loyal. I can't stress this enough! If your friend asks you to keep a secret-as long as it's not a safety issue-for Goodness sake-keep it! (Reread #3). The best way to have a friend is to be one.

6. Think before you speak. Words hurt. As a matter of fact-how's that Instagram account looking? Don't write anything you wouldn't want to pin onto your principal's bulletin board. You can't take back written words. They follow you. We'll love you no matter what and always have your back-please help make our jobs easier by thinking first. Punishment isn't fun for us either! Xo