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Ages 11-14Middle school brings big changes - mentally, socially and physically. Read on for advice and insights for parents. Visit our tween education page. Find a great elementary school program at our education fairs. Visit our directory for great resources for this age. |
Recent Articles
Ask the Parent Coach: Helping Your Child Make a Smooth Transition to Middle School
Q: My 11-year-old daughter will be going to middle school this fall. I am a bit concerned about how the transition will go. What can I do to help her get ready for all of the upcoming changes? A: Your concern is understandable. Even though there are many unknowns on the horizon, this is an ex
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Divorced? Here's How to Get Through Holidays and Family Events
This time of year is rife with significant family celebrations — those bittersweet graduation ceremonies (from kindergarten!), those gorgeous June weddings, that nephew’s bar mitzvah. For some of us, gearing up for these festivities goes way beyond dusting off the peach sling-backs; it can mean brac
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Teens and Alcohol: Why Parents Need to Have the Talk (and What to Say)
Proms, graduation parties, bonfires at the beach, impromptu gatherings at a friend’s pool — it’s not surprising that many parents feel the opportunities for teens to drink alcohol are endless. And adding to the pressure is the truth that the days are pretty much past when a little crazy experimentat
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When Are Kids Old Enough For Pierced Ears, Sleepovers, Solo Travel & More?
I was spending some quality one-on-one time with my 4-year-old, Fiona, last week. We were in my bed reading books when the phone rang. Normally, I’d have ignored it, but it was the pediatrician returning a call. I told Fiona I’d be right back and ran to take the call. I returned less than five minu
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The Social Network: Understanding Your Teen’s Friendships
All parents want their teens to have delightful friends, social smarts for coping with difficult situations, and refusal skills for handling sex, drugs and profane lyrics. But these wonderful things don’t happen to teens just because you gave them good childhoods; they evolve out of lots of experie
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How to Encourage Self-Control in Tweens and Teens
What do you think when you see a child throwing a tantrum, a tween using profanity or a teen taunting a vulnerable peer? And how do you feel when you read about the percentage of students who cheat, the stats on date rape and the latest politician with an alcohol, adultery or gambling problem? Most
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40 of the Best Smart Phone Apps for Kids and Parents
Imagine: You’re stuck in line at the grocery store when your 4-year-old starts his pre-meltdown routine. As he’s winding up for an epic shriek fest, you suavely whip out your phone and punch up “Sneezies.” Seconds later, the crisis is averted.Hey, it could happen. Though we would never recommend buy
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Music Magic: Keeping Your Tween Involved (Even if They Want to Quit)
So your little darlings are off to a nice start on their violins, flutes or pianos, and they’re actually sounding pretty good. Practice sessions are no longer a descent into purgatory for you, and your children are starting to take pleasure in their steady progress. As a music-loving parent, your pr
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