Basic HTML Version
72
maskmatters.org
summer
2012
making the
grade
educate
CHILD READING LIST
PARENT READING LIST
✪
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DID YOU KNOW?
}
Children with fathers involved in their lives are 70 percent less likely to drop out of school.
The Family
Connection
Junior High
6th to 8th Grade
in
• “A Smart Girl’s Guide to
Understanding her Family”
by
Amy Lynch
• “What’s Up with My Family?
(Middle School Confidential)”
by Annie Fox
• “The Mother-Daughter Book
Club”
by Heather Vogel
Frederick
• “Parent’s Guide to the Middle
School Years”
by Joe Bruzzese
• “7 Things Your Teenager
Won’t Tell You: And How to
Talk About Them Anyway”
by
Jennifer Marshall Lippincott and
Robin M. Deutsch
• “Family Fun Night!”
by
Cynthia L. Copeland
summer
2012
maskmatters.org
73
conversation
starters
•
I’ve noticed it’s been a
while since we spent time
together. What would you
like to do together this
weekend?
•
Instead of asking how their
day was, be more specific.
“How did your math test go
today?” or “Who did you sit
with at lunch?”
•
I’ve noticed you haven’t
said much about _______.
Are you still hanging out
with him or her?
A
t this stage, children feel like they are in be-“tween.” No longer a
child, but not quite an adult, this is a time when your child will try to
gain some independence, oftentimes pushing the envelope to get it.
And although your child might act like as if they don’t want you around, this
is a crucial time to be involved and aware of what is going on in their lives.
A good way to be involved without being overpowering is
by taking their cues. For instance, identify your child’s “talking
time.” Are they more talkative at night, during dinner, shooting
hoops or riding in the car? By establishing this now, you’ll know
the best time to start an important conversation with them.
On the other hand, it’s best not to try to pull the conversation
out of your teen when it’s obvious that there might be a problem.
Refrain from using terms like, “Is there something wrong?” or “How
was your day?” Also, don’t persist in trying to find out what is wrong.
Identifying your child’s “talking language” is crucial in connecting
with your child and to understanding their internal processing.
What You Can Do
•
Volunteer in their classroom or at their school.
•
Establish a “family night” to play games or watch movies.
Create a different theme each time.
•
Go on a “date” with your child to give them one-on-one
time. If you have multiple kids, rotate through and give
them each their special night.
•
Ride in the car together. This is a great way to get their
undivided attention.
•
Spend time with them before they go to bed at night.
•
Conversation and connection can be reinforced
through social media or texting. Try speaking their
language with “text talk,” such as TTYL (talk to you later)
or LOL (laugh out loud).
•
Be available when they want you. Put work and
to-do lists aside, and give them your undivided
attention whenever possible.
what it
looks like
•
Participating in their interests,
sports or hobbies.
•
Establishing nurturing, non-
judgmental conversation.
Check in with them and listen
to what they have to say.
•
Setting boundaries and
family rules. Sticking to
consequences relays to your
child that you care.
•
Sharing personal stories
about your life at their age.
•
Asking, checking and
verifyingwhere theygoorwho
they’re with.