Middle school can be a difficult time. Children are entering puberty, which brings its fair share of physical and emotional challenges. Some children in middle school get bored. Other children may encounter social difficulties. As a result, it is not unusual for children to experience self-esteem issues.
If your middle schooler is threatening to quit, how should you respond? Some of the most important tips to keep in mind include:
Try to become a model for the behavior you would like to see.
Do not give empty praise, as children will see right through this. Instead, praise children when it is appropriate. Let them know when they are doing well.
Focus on why these tasks are important. Let children know what they are going to enjoy in the future.
Make sure there are exit strategies in place. If something isn’t right for the child, make sure there is an alternative.
Avoid making comparisons between children.
Try to be empathetic with your child.
Learn more about how you can help middle-schoolers with managing feelings with this article on Understood.org!