Thank you for this! As the parent of a tween, I'm often frustrated by how adults speak of middle schoolers. We should recognize that this negative talk can be heard and internalized by our kids.
I remember, as an 8th grader, "Why would anyone want to be a middle school teacher?" I had fully internalized the message that middle schoolers were "the worst" (even though I loved school and had the most wonderful friends). Then I became a middle school teacher . . . and these kids are the best.
Thank you. I wholeheartedly agree. As a parent of a tween and a teen, I feel "reformed" about how I once viewed the "impending doom." Don't get me wrong, it IS a challenging time....but so are other times. It's a different challenge, and you learn different skills as a parent....if you're paying attention. My oldest didn't want to turn 13 because of the label society puts on "those teenagers." She didn't want to be one. I told her that was fake news and that SHE will not be "one of those teenagers" in my mind, like ever. She'll always be just my Haley, growing up, finding her way and that no label should have any bearing on who she is...the wonderful, kind, smart, funny, quick-witted human she's always been.
I know I internalized a lot of these negative messages as a kid -- I couldn't imagine why anyone would become a middle school teacher. Weren't we the worst? Then I became one, because middle schoolers are the BEST.
Thank you for this! As the parent of a tween, I'm often frustrated by how adults speak of middle schoolers. We should recognize that this negative talk can be heard and internalized by our kids.
I remember, as an 8th grader, "Why would anyone want to be a middle school teacher?" I had fully internalized the message that middle schoolers were "the worst" (even though I loved school and had the most wonderful friends). Then I became a middle school teacher . . . and these kids are the best.
I so agree!
Thank you. I wholeheartedly agree. As a parent of a tween and a teen, I feel "reformed" about how I once viewed the "impending doom." Don't get me wrong, it IS a challenging time....but so are other times. It's a different challenge, and you learn different skills as a parent....if you're paying attention. My oldest didn't want to turn 13 because of the label society puts on "those teenagers." She didn't want to be one. I told her that was fake news and that SHE will not be "one of those teenagers" in my mind, like ever. She'll always be just my Haley, growing up, finding her way and that no label should have any bearing on who she is...the wonderful, kind, smart, funny, quick-witted human she's always been.
I know I internalized a lot of these negative messages as a kid -- I couldn't imagine why anyone would become a middle school teacher. Weren't we the worst? Then I became one, because middle schoolers are the BEST.