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.
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.
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.
