| As a parent, you're always concerned about your child. | | | | both of you can use - there is no sense forcing her to |
| Her passage into middle school marks a critical period | | | | follow your favorite style - and help her stick to it. It |
| for her as she moves towards more independence. It's | | | | may be as simple as a designated homework pad in |
| critical that she be allowed to do so and that you help | | | | which she writes down all assignments for that day |
| her by letting go. | | | | and their due date. Or she may prefer a more |
| So as back to school becomes just school, how can | | | | organized planner. Or a folder for each class. You |
| you help your tween daughter better adjust to middle | | | | know your daughter, so figure out something that |
| school? Here are some parenting tips and parenting | | | | works for her - don't worry about what anyone else is |
| advice to help you let go and let your daughter take | | | | doing. |
| her first steps towards independence. | | | | 3. Build Your Team - Parenting today takes teamwork. |
| 1. Think in terms of coach, not manager - When you're | | | | Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to get to |
| child was smaller, you were pretty much the micro | | | | know your child's teachers, coaches, mentors and |
| manager of all of her daily time and activities. | | | | counselors. This is especially important if you're a single |
| Everything from getting socks on to drinking juice had | | | | parent. Building a team that includes teachers, |
| to be carefully watched and monitored with you | | | | neighbors and others will ensure that you're not in this |
| providing step by step directions all along the way. And | | | | alone. Even if you're a stay at home mom, having this |
| there is nothing wrong with that - that's exactly what | | | | parenting team can greatly help you help your |
| your daughter needed to learn how to take care of | | | | daughter. Yes, you may have to listen to some |
| herself. | | | | unwanted parenting advice, but you'll likely get a few |
| However as she moves into middle school, you should | | | | gems in there as well. |
| start to think of yourself more as a coach, not as a | | | | Parenting today is full of challenges, especially as |
| manager. A coach cheers, supports and provides | | | | families mean different things to different people. But |
| direction, but can't play the game for the child. | | | | helping your child be successful in life starts by helping |
| 2. Help her keep her own schedule - You may be | | | | her be successful in school and allowing to take her |
| used to the master planner, scheduling soccer | | | | first steps towards independence. Before you know it, |
| practices, ballet lessons and other activities, but now | | | | your son or daughter will be out on her own and will |
| that your daughter is in middle school, she will have to | | | | need to make her own decisions. Equipping them with |
| manage extracurricular activities along with academic | | | | the opportunities to grow now - and guiding those |
| responsibilities. As a parent-coach, your job is not to | | | | decisions will ensure that she will be making the best |
| keep her schedule for her, but to help her manager it | | | | ones later on. |
| herself. Come up with a time management system | | | | |