Problems, Solutions and Management

Problem: Your child is terrified of going to school.

Solution: Let your child know that everything is going to be okay and make sure your kids know that you will be there for them. One of the most important things you can do is be involved in your child's transition to middle school because "when parents are involved in school experiences, the students have higher achievement, are better adjusted, and are less likely to drop out" (Andrews and Jackson).

Problem: Your child always asks for the latest brand of clothing and claims that "everyone else's parents will buy it for them."

Solution: Fitting in is one of the biggest problems that students face. As a parent, the best thing you can do is be supportive of your child and encourage them to be their own person. It may be hard on your child at first, but when they grow older they will definitely remember the relationship you had rather than the clothes that they wore.


Problem: Your child has intense mood swings.

Solution: Emotional development is very evident in adolescents. Remember to be the adult and not over react when your child is throwing a fit. It is important to model appropriate behavior so that your child can understand how to act in future situations.

Problem: Your child does not like to do their school work.

Solution: Be involved in your child's education. Set expectations and when they are not met, have consequences. Communicate ideas and concerns to the school administrators in order to create positive parent-teacher relationships. Ask your child about school every day, listen to what they have to say, and be supportive (Andrews and Jackson).


Problem: Your child is being teased at school.

Solution: children are sensitive to hurt and humiliation. As a parent, you should be there for your child and genuinely care about what is going on in their life. Tell your child how great they are, and remind them of all of their talents. Try to explain to the kids that they deserve to be respected, and tell them if it gets worse they should talk to an authority figure at the school. Be a role model in your actions, and let them know that teasing is wrong on all levels.