Navigating the middle school years

The transition from childhood to adolescence is not easy – for kids or their parents. Suddenly, old friendships are ending and new ones are forming. Hormones kick in. School gets more intense. And almost every middle schooler has something every adult has: a cell phone. Sure, it all feels like a whirlwind, but there are so many opportunities for parents to navigate the changes and guide their middle schoolers. Phyllis Fagell can help. She’s a licensed clinical professional counselor, certified professional school counselor, journalist, mom of three, and author of the book Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – and How Parents Can Help. She joins us to talk about the big changes middle schoolers experience. And, she offers parents practical advice on how to love and support their children through them. Listen to this episode to learn: -Tips to proactively build character and confidence in your tween children -How to have more mindful communication with your middle schooler (hint: some emotional distance is key) -Ways to set your kids up for academic success as they gear up for high school and beyond -How to help tweens navigate shifting social dynamics and make good friend choices -Advice on how to empower middle school girls during these pivotal years -Why having positive male role models helps boost empathy and self-awareness in middle school boys -Why middle schoolers sometimes bully and turn to mean behavior, and strategies for parents on how to deal with it