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Start Talking
Know! The Middle School Challenges and Changes
9/8/2016

The first day of middle school has come and gone. While your child’s initial fears of navigating the hallways, using the combination lock and finding someone to sit with at lunch may be officially behind her, it doesn’t mean she’s got a peaceful, easy feeling about the rest of her middle school experience. And as a parent, you must know, this is only the beginning.

We’re talking about a new set of classmates, teachers and coaches with higher expectations, an increase in the amount and difficulty of homework and tests, a rise in responsibilities at home and school, and a peak in the pressure to fit in and be accepted. It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.

ThinkstockPhotos-89988124.jpgAnd we cannot forget the other changes middle school youth are encountering. They’ve got hormones kicking into high gear, their physical appearance is changing and their emotions are all over the place. In other words, your tween has a lot on his/her plate!

Research clearly shows that it is during these transitional middle school years that many children begin experimenting with alcohol and other drugs - be it from the increase in stress, exposure to substance-using peers, the desire to fit in, curiosity or simply the fact that substances are available and accessible.

The child who exhibited strong anti-substance use attitudes in elementary school may suddenly not be so sure of himself now. The child who would have had no problem saying ‘no’ if offered alcohol, may now hesitate at the question. The move to middle school can bring with it a shift in attitude and behavior. As the parent of a new middle school student, you will need to be especially vigilant in your prevention efforts.

Here are three need-to-KNOW! items:

KNOW! that every child (including your child) is at-risk for substance use;
KNOW! to increase your knowledge on current and emerging drug trends;
KNOW! to increase the number of prevention-related conv1StartTalking.jpgersations you have with your child.

By keeping the lines of communication open and talking to your child often about the dangers of substance use, you can actually cut their risk in half.

Learn how to get the conversation started at StartTalking.Ohio.Gov.


 
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