Making the move to high school or secondary education can be tough on the kids and parents. But there are some things that you can do to help make the process easier on everyone. All you need to do is keep the following advice in mind and you will have your little kid evolving into a young adult as they make the move to high school.
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Kind of independent
At the tender age of 11 years old, they might be experiencing pressure to be more independent than they usually are. While they were at primary school, it was socially acceptable to have parents calling the shots. Maybe you drove them to school, made them a packed lunch, and had them wrapped in some bubble wrap. Moving to “big school” means making some big changes such as taking the bus, going to the canteen, and not having mum to hold their hand. Some kids will embrace these changes, leaving you in the dust of their childhood. Some kids will not be comfortable with making all of these changes at once. If you know that your kid might not cope with so many changes at once, make changes slowly. Start with some small changes and give them more independence as time goes on. You could start with dropping them to school a few days a week and they bus it the other days. Or they could take a packed lunch every other day and use the canteen on the other days.
School culture
Secondary schools are very different from primary schools, mainly because the children are older and don’t want their parents to get involved. There are not many kids who want their mum being there for all of the events. However, the schools still want parents to be a part of the culture but this will vary be school. For example, secondary schools in leicester will have a different school social calendar than the schools in Greater London. Smaller schools may rely on parental involvement more than schools in large cities. Always check to see how you can help the school without overstepping your boundaries with your kids. You might find that once your kids make the move to high school, you have more time to help out. Getting involved with the PTA can give you a good idea of what the school needs from you as a parent.
Being awkward
It is important to remember that the change of school is not the only thing that is happening. At this age, there will be big changes happening in their bodies and their brains. One of the most important things you can do is arm them with the knowledge of what is happening with their bodies. Not only will their bodies be changing, but the social circles they will join will impact how they think. We have all been through the awkward phase that involves discovering who we are, having to deal with the constant changes, and becoming an adult. This can be an awkward time so give your kid some space to explore who they are, but also keep the lines of communication open so they can talk to you if they need to. Just, try not to make it awkward for everyone.
Social skills
When your kids were little, there is a good chance that you knew all of the parents in the playground. Not only did you see your kid grow up, you got to see their friends grow up too. Now, they will be meeting new people, and this can be scary. Are their new friends good people? Or will they fall in with a bad crowd? As tempting as it is, try not to insert yourself into their friend circle. You might find that they will bring their friends to your house for hang outs if you are the cool parent. Over time, you will get to meet the parents and get to know their new friends. When my daughter started high school, she didn’t know anyone but she made friends with a handful of people who have continued to be friends after they left school. Not only do I know some of their mums, but I am the mum they phone if they are out boozing (they are all adults and over 18 years old now). The dynamic might have changed but it is possible to still be a part of the social circle as time goes on.
Making the move to high school and secondary education can be tough but if you are prepared to make some changes, you and your kids will adapt to the new environment with ease.