Back to School Blues

Each year the thrill of buying school supplies offset the dread of returning to the classroom for my kids. Along with new school supplies, there was the pure anticipation of meeting the new teacher on the first day of class.
It seems that in every family, there is at least one child that struggles with school. If that child is heading off to middle school, the pressure can be even greater. Even if the academics come easily, interpersonal nuances can still be tricky for some students.
Here’s a list of ideas to pass along that might help make the junior high years a fabulous experience.
-Notice what people are wearing. Adopt the motto “No flash, no trash” when it comes to your clothes because while clothing is just the wrapping on the package, it really communicates. Decide which message you want to send about yourself. Look for friends who don’t let peer pressure dictate what they should wear. These will be the kids in “normal” clothes.
-Evaluate your current friends. Ask the question “Is that person a real friend or really a foe?” A real friend wants what is best for you. A person who wants to get in trouble with you is really a foe, even if they don’t mean to be. A foe wants you to do what will be bad for your future.
-Politely disengage from kids with bad attitudes or ideas. Ease away politely, but quickly, realizing that when they get their act together they could become a good friend, but not today.
-Smile and Listen. Be kind to everybody, even those who drive you crazy.
-Stand up for the underdog. It is the right thing to do. You’ll be proud of yourself later, even if you take a hit now.
-Always say good things about people. This will teach your friends to trust you. They will know that you never say bad things behind anyone’s back.
-Get to know your teachers. Don’t let our age-segregated culture keep you from having friends of all ages. Many teachers have tender hearts and funny personalities.
-Have a reputation for being smart, even if school is hard for you. How? By being the kid that always sits on the front row. Ask the teacher, “What do I have to do to make an ‘A’ in your class?” Be willing to tutor other kids.
-Set goals for the future. Let your teachers know your goals and see if they will tailor some of your assignments to your special interests.
-Dream. So what if your goals change? Of course, your dreams and goals will change because you are changing.
If you start these habits now, by college you will already be a very successful student, one of those overachievers.
A classroom setting is difficult for some students, particularly the most creative ones. And yet, our culture depends on those very kids to become adults who think outside the box. God bless the parents who raise them and the teachers who teach them!

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, educated her kiddoes in any way that worked for each child, often with a lot of help and prayer. Comments are invited at CaeKrafve2@aol.com.