Welcome to 8th Grade

YOU HAVE 260 WEEKS AND COUNTING...
IT'S JUST A PHASE - DON'T MISS IT! 

Your time is limited so make the most of every moment! Every Phase is a timeframe in a kids life when you can leverage distinctive opportunities to influence their future.  
GIVE OPTIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
Remember when you had a two-year-old who wanted to "do it myself?"  Your teenager's resistance may not come in the form of a toddler tantrum, but the emotions may feel familiar.  Whenever possible, give options so they have some freedom to choose.

RE-DEFINE THE CONVERSATION.
Your eighth grader may answer questions with one word, an eye-roll, or an all-too-clear facial expression.  But don't mistranslate the cues.  Eight graders  actually want to have adult conversations sometimes.  Be available- even if it seems a little pointless at times.

EIGHTH GRADERS ARE SMART.
In fact, there may be no phase quite as smart as this one-just ask them 😊.  Being so much smarter than everyone else can really become a burden.  Sometimes their patience runs out, and they simply can't explain it to you one more time.  On some occasions, have fun going toe-to-toe with your eighth grader and challenge them back.  Just remember, the important thing is how they personalize what they believe in this phase.  So encourage their personal discoveries.

Your role is to

AFFIRM

their personal journey

Your eighth grader is cool.  No longer at the mercy of an uncontrollable emotional outburst, eighth graders are increasingly able to self-regulate their actions, emotions, and activities.  But, this emerging sense of control creates a new kind of tension for your teenager to resolve.  When you consistently affirm their journey through this sometimes-turbulent season, you help them gain stability.

Your teenager...

THINKS LIKE AN ENGINEER

You help them learn when you... connect the dots.

wants to know  "WHO DO I LIKE?"

You capture their heart when you... provide stability.

is motivated by acceptance.

You coach their moral abilities when you... affirm their value.

leverage daily moments for more impact.

MORNING TIME

Instill purpose by starting the day with encouraging words.

DRIVE TIME

Interpret life during informal conversations as you travel

MEAL TIME

Establish values with intentional conversations while you eat together.

BED TIME

Listen to their heart by staying available-just in case.

THIS YEAR YOU WILL

PROVOKE DISCOVERY

SO YOUR CHILD WILL OWN THEIR OWN FAITH

AND LEARN TO VALUE A FAITH COMMUNITY.

Your eighth grader is changing...

Physically

  • Needs lots of food and 9-11 hours of sleep each night
  • Girls outpace guys in development
  • Guys experience changes in height and weight, an increase in hormones, and possible acne
  • Girls may develop body odor, experience changes in height and body shape; may begin menstration (10-16 years)

Socially

  • Interested in pop culture and new slang, current events and politics
  • Wants to negotiate rules
  • Displays an increasingly adult-like personality
  • Needs non-parental adult influences
  • Places a significant emphasis on peer opinions
  • More concerned about personal appearances than personal environment (the state of their bedroom)

Mentally

  • Able to see two sides of an argument
  • Enjoy forming and sharing their opinion 
  • Solves multi-step, complex problems
  • Growing ability to organize

Emotionally

  • Enjoys sarcasm and sophisticated jokes
  • Often interested in leadership roles and teaching younger children
  • May emphasize physical appearance and performance
  • Tends to over schedule their time
  • Often feels more comfortable in their own skin

we are for you.

Parenting is complicated.
We want to help you get it right.

At Anthem, we've created an environment specifically designed for Middle School Students called TRANSIT.   If you have any specific questions our Student Ministries Director Philip Floor would love to chat!