Look ahead to the next stage in your child's career--high school

Two-thirds of the school year is gone. Now a big transition looms for many middle schoolers and their parents. High school is six months away. Start preparing your child and yourself.

Expect your child to:

Feel excitement about the opportunities high school offers. These include new friendships and more freedom. High school also lets students pursue a wide range of interests through extracurricular activities.
Feel nervous. Standards for academics, behavior and independence are far beyond what most middle schoolers are used to. Then there's the size of high school--a school building and population that may be double what your child has now.

You can help if you:

Tap available resources. Most middle schools give guidance about coping in high school. The high school, too, will likely offer orientation sessions for new students. Urge your child to attend.
Talk to your child. Share some of your own high school memories. Discuss honestly the classes your child wants to take and how she will manage her schedule. Have her talk with current high school students about their experiences.
Encourage your child. Starting high school is a huge milestone. Your child is growing up. Let her know you are proud of her and are looking forward to this new stage.

Homework/Study Skills

Soothe your child's homework headaches with routines, quiet

Research shows that studying at home can help your middle schooler perform better at school. Does your child have good homework habits? Now is a great time to reevaluate your child's homework routine.

To reinforce homework habits:

Choose a central location. Whether it's a desk in his room or a spot at the kitchen table, pick a work zone for your child. Keep it quiet, well lit and stocked with supplies. If he works in the family room, enforce a "no TV or radio during study time" rule for others in your home.
Stick around. Don't hover as your preteen works. But do be available to offer praise or encouragement. It'll show that his schoolwork matters to you.
Set a limit. Allow a certain amount of time for studying each night--about 45–75 minutes for middle schoolers. No homework? He can use the time to study or read.
Designate a start time. If possible, have your child begin working at the same time every evening. Just be flexible when necessary.
Be a good role model. Use your preteen's study time to complete your own quiet activities. Read a magazine, answer email or balance the checkbook while he gets his work done.

Building Character

Help your middle schooler develop leadership skills

Many people think of a leader as one who gives direction. To some extent, that is true. But real leadership--a desirable character trait--has more to do with listening, learning and being an example.

Your child can develop leadership if she is:

Caring. Effective leaders care. They look for someone who could use help. And then they step up.
Open to new ideas. Leaders know they don't know it all. They always listen to others.
Organized. Leaders plan ahead. They know that leaving projects to the last minute usually produces poor results.
Optimistic. Leaders prepare. They trust the people they work with. They are enthusiastic. They expect things to go right and because of their leadership, things usually do.
Flexible. Leaders don't get stuck in the rut of doing everything the same way every time. They are willing to try new things.

Reprinted with permission from the March 2010 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter.