What would you want your child to know...

before entering middle school and high school?

I am helping out a friend who is running a retreat for girls. The topics will range from things like money management, community service, cooking, etc.

I am running a session on College 101 for the high school girls, but recently foudn out that it looks like they have a lot of middle school girls signed up as well and would like me to present a similar session for them.

Not sure what to do....

I thought I would present on things that they should do to make middle school and high school a meaningful and successful experience...

Any ideas???? What do you think your child would need or want answered at a session like this? Ideas?

TIA!
Karen

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Boys. If your mother doesn't like him, odds are he is crap. Chuck him asap.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Dating and self respect (understanding what is important to you in someone you date and not just going for the exciting girls/guys). Self respect is a good topic generally speaking

Handling pressure (peer pressure, school pressure, etc.)

Drugs and alcohol use--understanding repercussions. I would see if you could find an older teen/young adult who is a recovered addict/alcoholic to talk to them, probably more effective than anything an adult can say

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Appropriate dress for school.... and why it is important to dress like you have self-respect. I teach high school and this is a tough one. Many girls just see this topic and young vs. old. I wish I could think of a way to talk about this with teenage girls without sounding like an old fart. If you figure it out, let me know!

Good luck!

This sounds like a great project.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

how to determine if a website is a good/reliable resource as well as internet safety. i also think any kind of self-esteem booster activity can be good b/c this is such an awkward time.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

I have a child entering middle school next month and I love all of the op's ideas. As a parent, I have a great deal of anxiety about middle school, mainly because I feel even good kids today are forced to navigate mature/adult situations at a much earlier age than I was. I also feel its the first time that their friend's opinions may start to count for more than your opinion.

My favorite little words of wisdom for my daughter are "people always show you who they are, you just have to watch and listen" ; "You don't need quantity when it comes to friends, just qualtity"; and "never let anyone else define who you are or tell you how to feel about yourself" Can you tell middle school is scaring th cr*p out of me. Thankfully, me daughter can't wait to go.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Middle school is kind of young but for HS girls....credit, credit, credit. what it is, how not paying bills can effect the rest of your life, how interest adds up and paying the minimum will take you forever to pay in full. I learned these things the hard way and lucky for me got into the mortgage business and started to learn a lot about credit and how to repair it. I always wished they taught this in HS.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Maybe internet safety? Including internet bullying, and what to do about it? Could help particularly with the middle schoolers?
All good ideas above though!!

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Definitely dealing with peer pressure.

Safety.

How to find something - a hobby, volunteer work, etc. that helps make you feel great about yourself.

Maybe a personality inventory?

How it is never too early to start thinking about college applications/scholarships - volunteering, joining clubs, etc.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Thank you everyone! I appreciate your thought and insight and have included some of your ideas into my presentatioN!

Re: What would you want your child to know...

Definitly nutrition and weight related health issues that can effect self esteem. When teaching 6th grade and coaching softball I have never seen so many girls out to starve themselves because they thought they were too fat!

Re: What would you want your child to know...

You cant buy a bathroom pass or a pool pass.. I remember people trying to sell those to the young ones and some bought them.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

I wish they would teach a class on self esteem.

Maybe something about how to write a paper. And how to study in a productive way. I didn't know how to write a good paper until AFTER school, which wasn't very helpful then.

Re: What would you want your child to know...

How to have a good body image