The
toughest time for parents to communicate with their children is during the
young adolescent years. Thinking ahead about your own standards, and helping
children structure their tasks, can be a great help.
In
fact, one of the best tools for parents is being prepared.
In
the middle school years, get ready for some conflicts. Before any issue reaches
a boiling point, think carefully about what is truly important to you.
Know
ahead of time what areas you are willing to negotiate and which are absolute
for you.
Here’s
another tip. When young people are feeling overwhelmed, help them organize
their goals and tasks clearly.
Think
about it: A disastrous bedroom, 12 overdue math assignments, a long-term
project that’s “suddenly” due in a few days or hours. All of these combined can
make a preteen decide to give up, rather than get started.
Help
your child break those chores into smaller parts. For example: clean off the
bed, get five assignments done tonight, and assemble materials for the
project.
This
will help them structure the tasks so that they seem more approachable and
doable.
