Second article in back-to-school series, Tackle Junior High Challenges

Posted by Melissa Chapman Aug 22, 2006

I've always had a love-hate relationship with the end of summer, particularly the last week of August. While it's the week of my birthday, it is also the last official week of summer which always meant one thing to me throughout my entire childhood, "the beginning of a brand new school year." Eew!!

Now that I'm a Mom, the tables are turned and while I watch as my daughter sadly ushers out the summer season she is still at a young enough age, where she is actually looking forward to the new school year. The changes and newness, that await her five-year-old way of interpreting and understanding the world, are merely unknowns that are not anxiety ridden, rather for her the prospect of a new school year fills her with positive expectations and pure and unadulterated excitement. I almost wish I could bottle up her energy and give it to every new student starting a brand new school year.

I think incoming sixth graders could definitely use a little bit of her enthusiasm and excitement about the unknown rather than feeling anxious about the school year that lies ahead of them. Maybe as parents, it is our job to try and help our kids maintain their excitement about school at every grade. The question is- How?! Well I've tried to point out some advice for parents of sixth graders in my latest article, so please check it out and let me know what you think. I really love hearing from all of you. As I muddle through these next years of parenting with my daughter, I hope you will all join me, and maybe we can come up with a way to let some of our children's excitement stay deep within them and rub off on us too!

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