5 Things I Wish I had Known about Middle School

I’ve never been the type to doubt my ability to teach my kids or to be nervous about it.  It seemed like such a natural extension of parenting.  Still, as we neared middle school, I grew a little nervous.

This is the age so many people end their homeschool journey.  Some for athletic reasons, some for other extracurricular activities but, for many, it’s because they think they can’t do these years well, forget about high school!

As we end our first round of middle school and our ninth year of homeschooling, I’ve reflected on what I wish I had known before we began these years.  They certainly weren’t as hard as I imagined they might be.  And they were immensely more enjoyable than I could have imagined!

I Wish I Had Known…

1. They still need help.  Their growth these years is crazy! They enter middle school still looking like a kid and, too quickly, leave it looking like a real teenager.  It’s easy to think they should be able to do all their work independently, properly stay on schedule, and plan out their schedule.  Some kids can but most are still going to need help. It may mean they need you to sit at their elbow as a confidence builder.  They may need you to guide them gently. 
   
   There were times she needed more help than she did in fifth grade.  It could feel maddening.  It also felt like any of those times may be the last time she needed me in that way, so I took a deep breath and soaked in those moments.  I never regretted it.
   
2. They still need fun in their school day.  A couple hours into our school days, I could see my daughter’s brain fading quickly.  Staring into space, making easy mistakes, working really slowly…all signs she needed a break.  Schedule in downtime.
   
   Audiobooks that go with their curriculum, drawing lessons, handicrafts, etc. are all ways you can incorporate downtime without it becoming “wasted time”.  Don’t forget to include games, educational but funny videos, etc.  Complex mazes and MadLibs with her brothers were also occasional hits.
   
3. Do you remember when you had babies and learned that babies pick up on our moods? History repeats itself in these years.
   
   The attitude I choose can make or break a day.  Combine my attitude with teen hormones and a day can be on a downward spiral fifteen minutes into our school day.
   
   Pick your battles wisely and choose your words & tone even more wisely.  It’s a vulnerable age, be their soft spot.
   
4. The discussions are GREAT.  After years of basic conversations, answering the same inane questions hundreds of times, and explaining complex ideas in basic ways…you finally get to delve deep into topics.
   
   Include time in your schedule, particularly with literature, history & science, to have discussions.  They’ve reached a developmental stage where they are forming their own ideas about ethics, opposing points of view, and defending their views.  Enjoy it, you’ve earned it!
   
5. Middle school is a lot of review work.  This is the time to review grammar, review math concepts they haven’t practiced recently, organize their memory of history into a more organized timeline, etc.  You are gearing them up for high school, yes, but that’s not the only reason.
   
   Early teens go through a rewiring of their brain and brain growth, similar to their first three years.  In the midst of it, some skills and knowledge get “lost”.  Reviewing the material helps their brains to “store” it correctly, ready to use as they build on it in high school. Show them patience!

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