Friday Night is parent night for incoming freshman at the local high school. Incoming freshman that include my daughter. So many things swirl through my head and so many things have changed since 1999.
Back then we were getting detention for sending 9009 back in forth on our pagers because it looked like boob when turned upside down. Now? I don’t even know where to begin…
Okay, maybe I know where to begin a little bit. There are a few conversations that I have already had with my teen daughter, and a few waiting in line. Situations I remember arising when I was in high school, and things that may arise for this generation.
Thankfully I have an accepting, honest, intelligent, compassionate daughter, but I’m well aware of how things can change during the teenage years. That being said, here are 5 chats to have with your kids before high school.
(This post is in partnership with Netflix. Any opinions are 100% my own.)
5 Chats to Have with Your Kids
Before High School
#1 Public Embarrassment
There are times in your high school career that you may wish never happened. Sometimes those moments happen in the public eye. If they happen, they will be forgotten. The whispers and gossip fade, the feelings in the pit of the stomach lessen, and someone else’s moment will take over the spotlight as the cycle continues. It happens to pretty much everyone.
#2 Cyber Bullying
Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and the list of social media bullying grounds goes on. I can’t imagine high school with social media. Finding out about cheating boyfriends via notes passed in history class, and horrible sayings written on lockers were bad enough. Remind your children often to come to you if they or someone they know is being bullied online.
#3 Privacy
Along the lines of social media, a reminder in privacy is good. Not everything is suitable for social media, text, snaps, and whatever else your teenager uses. “Checking In” at work or excitedly sharing the “parents are gone for the night” is not a wise choice. I’m not one to police every second of my daughter’s social media accounts, but she knows what is okay and not okay to share.
#4 Being You
Fitting in, being accepted, and having a circle become even more important in high school. Extra curricular activities are joined or dropped based on who is doing what. Lockers are swapped, styles are sported, and it’s easy to lose yourself among it all. Remind your child that in the long run, all that matters is that they are doing things they want to do, and are staying true to themselves.
#5 Anxiety
School work, advanced classes, extra curricular activites, part time job, social life, and the list continues. It’s easy to get stressed and anxious about everything on your plate when you are in high school. Heck, it happens to me as an adult. The important thing is to help your child be aware of the feelings anxiety brings, and have a plan when those feelings strike.
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