by Aurora Russe

Created on: August 06, 2009   Last Updated: May 28, 2011

One's transition to a new standing in life can be both exciting and challenging. In the case of elementary to middle school transition, the biggest change is probably the process of predictable, easy to please children becoming complicated teenagers, which puts stress on all parties involved. Combined with a new school setting and overall changing environment and connections, a child's beginnings at a middle school may very well turn out to be one of the bumpiest rides of his/her life.

Children are nowhere as vulnerable when it comes to change as adults are; therefore, anything along the lines of transitioning from having one teacher all day to switching classes or having their own lockers will take no more than a week for them to adjust. However, as all of us most likely remember, they are at that age when everything suddenly becomes so much more complicated. Peer pressure, image problems, identity crisis, mindless following of the crowd - this is what parents should look out for. Your 11- to 13-year old children will all of a sudden want to grow up - way too soon, and way too fast.They will also tend to stray away from their families, and while that is natural, it is in your power to prevent total alienation, for there is still so much ground to cover in their development as part of your family.

But before you get to that bridge, you still have to live through the month of August, for there is no doubt in my mind that your children are pretty nervous themselves. Before school starts, you should sit down with them and discuss and dismiss all of their fears concerning this progression to a new level of academia. Talk to your preteens about the importance of keeping up with the work, for their "coloring book" days are throug. It's time to get down to business.

Just like any other year, you must make sure that your kids are ready for school in terms of supplies and clothing. The next step would be to familiarize yourself and your children with the rules and guidelines of your new school. In order to make them feel comfortable in their new surroundings, you should definitely stop by your school and ask for a tour of the campus. If you are lucky, you may come across a couple of your child's new teachers, or even classmates, during your visit.

There is only so much you can do before you realize that from then on, it is all up to THEM. Your kids will begin to explore within themselves, and it is in your power to lead them to become well-rounded, unique individuals by helping your brand-new middle-schoolers avoid trends and conformity by all means. Their desire to fit in can add up to a huge loss of time and money, and it is your job to keep that in check. Nevertheless, you will quickly realize that your children do have the right to demand a little more privacy; however, their safety should not be compromised.

All in all, the changes described above will not hit you immediately on the first day of middle school, but you will face these obstacles in no time as your child progresses from a care-free, elementary-school youngster to a slightly confused and newly-discovered persona.

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