Mom and Dad fear middle school

honestly middle school isnt that bad. everywhere you go its going to be like that. My middle school is bad but we get by. Fights happen everywhere. The best thing you can do is prepare her. And negativily talking about it will get her more worried. As a middle schooler myself the "fights" are merely verbal and between the "bad" kids. Every once in a while do we get a real fight.

My daughter was afraid last year to start Middle School. No matter where you live, down south or up north (we live up north) you have fears when your child starts a new school. My daughter went from a grammar school with 160 kids to a middle school with over 600 kids. She did fine. They actually had a project last year in Language Arts - what would you do to make your school safer. One of the things my daughter listed was "cameras in the halls." There are fights in every school so don't worry about that. She will find her "niche" like my daughter did and she will do fine. Suggest she join a club. My daughter joined "Stompers" and "Compass Learning" which she attended after school. She made new friends. She still talks to her friends from her "old" school but she had "broadened her horizon." She was very happy this year and she did WONDERFULLY on her report cards. If you have raised your child to be "well rounded" that's the best you can do. Just let her know she can ALWAYS come to you with ANYTHING and you can work it out. That's how I have raised my daughter. I was military born and it was tough growing up. I am raising my daughter a little different showing her more respect than I was shown - I'm not a drill sergeant like my father was. It is very hard on a child changing schools and friends year after year. You just have to do the best you can and give her as much support as you can. Again, suggest her joining a club and if she sees a fight - walk the other way. There have been fights in my daughter's school also. She walks away and then gets the gossip from the kids who stuck around to watch! Good luck to her and you both.

I definately understand your situation. Our daughters are stuck at the same type of school. Or at least the older one still is. We have the same problems with bullying and violence. This school doesn't even have lockers anymore because of the theft and drugs. My best advice is to make sure you are very involved and stay in touch with her teachers and the pricipal. Also make sure that your daugher knows that whatever happens you are there for her and that this is only for a year. Best of luck and God Bless.

I have a 12 year daughter in middle school. Last year was unbelievable. Not so much the school and more the things she was exposed to. She also started her period. So between what the kids know and say and her hormones it was crazy.
I'm a firm believer of KEEP IT REAL. So I'll do that now. You should be scared. But that's normal. What I try to do is talk to her about all the girl stuff like PMS, mood changes and all that goes with that. Also kids are mean as hell. With words and attitude. Over everything from clothes to boys & grades. Not personaly but I've heard many storys about how far more advanced our kids are then when I was 12-13 years old. Periods start alot earlier as well as sexual things these kids are doing now days. (I WILL BE SCARED UNTIL SHE GRADUATES) My husband and I decided that my daughter can talk to boys on the phone when shes 13 then (MAYBE) a group date at 15 and no single dates until 16. My daughter and all her friends are beginning to be boy crazy. SO i feel your fear. It doesn't get easier.

I look forward to hearing from you again soon.