Preparing your child for the first day of school can be a fun process: buying new clothes and school supplies, brushing up on some reading and writing skills, and reconnecting with teachers and friends. But if your child is getting ready to start their first day of middle school, the pressure may feel greater.
Middle school is a very different experience than elementary school, often with many more teachers and classrooms at play and changing hormones and bodies that bring with them mental and emotional changes. This is also the time of a young person’s life when they become more articulate in expressing themselves in good and bad ways.
As a parent, what you do during these weeks before the start of school or even the first few weeks of the school year can provide your child with the confidence they need to navigate the future with a bit more confidence.
What Makes Middle School So Hard on Kids?
Children in middle school are still learning and growing. Their brains are nowhere near fully developed, but they are smarter, more engaging, and more curious than ever. Yet, this is also a time when mobile devices are constantly available, and interactions with peers are more commonly done without a parent looking over their shoulder.
Perhaps what is most challenging to children within this age group is that they are building emotional and mental health skills, often without a lot of confidence or self-esteem. They question themselves just like they question everyone else in the hallways at school. While you may be proud of their accomplishments and relationships, it’s always smart to focus on building emotionally resilient and confident preteens who know when and how to get help, how to say no, and how to fight for what they believe in an appropriate manner.
That’s a lot of challenge for any parent to take on. What can you do as a parent who wants to build confidence and ensure your middle schooler is ready for whatever happens on the first day of school?
Strategies to Support Middle School Mental Health
Make sure you prioritize the mental health of your children. Many times, children who are in this age range are facing mental health, emotional challenges, and behavioral disorders and can see remarkable improvement and symptom relief with support early on.
How can you help your child with mental health needs?
Make communication a priority
Middle-school-aged kids are already starting to question everything around them, and talking to their parents may not always be their preferred method of dealing with their fears. However, fostering an open line of communication now – and clearly telling your children they can talk to you about anything without judgment — is critical. Make sure you:
- Acknowledge any fears they have
- Make them feel understood
- Reassure your child that their thoughts and feelings are normal
Find the time to communicate openly. Just asking, “How was your day?” isn’t enough to really spur conversation. While your child may not tell you everything, just being engaged gives them the window to do so when they need to.
Create a routine
Structure is important to middle schoolers. While many do well and are super involved in activities at school and after school, others need more downtime and the ability to recharge after the social influx during the day.
You create a reliable structure that supports their mental health by creating routines for sleep, eating, and homework. They know what to expect and how to navigate their days. That also builds a sense of support and comfort.
Recognize their fears and worries
Middle school is often portrayed on television programs and TikTok in extreme ways, so your preteen may be unsure what to expect. There’s a real sense of fear in many kids at this age. Others may find that they want to do everything and be super engaged, but that can be emotionally draining in the short term.
Know when it’s time to seek help
Perhaps the most important factor for parents of middle school kids is to realize that this is the age when many children benefit from professional therapy (and parents, too!) Mental and emotional health complications do not just go away. They worsen over time if a person does not learn how to deal with their feelings and express themselves in a positive way.
Your job as a parent is to facilitate everything your child needs to grow and thrive. That often means getting involved and supporting their mental health needs through professional support.
Contact Our Team When You Need Back Up and Guidance
Even if you are not sure your child needs support right now, we encourage you to embrace the services we offer at Willow Creek Behavioral Health. Prepare your child for their future with professional support. Contact us now to learn more.
