Uncomfortable middle school conversations are a must

This week's podcast episode is based off a question I got from a middle school parent. There is a lot of fear around certain topics during adolescence, and two of the hottest topics are technology use and sex. It's super important that at least one adult in your household is talking to your middle schooler about these harder topics, especially in this day and age.

So what does the crop top really mean? What you're really asking here is if it's safe or appropriate, right? Maybe you're worried about the signal it might send to others, or maybe you're worried about why she wants to wear the crop top in the first place. Whatever it is, these hard topics around choice, image, insecurities, technology and sex are a really good learning opportunity for you and your middle schooler.

Take a look at what I talk about in this episode and see what three steps you can take to help you move through a decision making process to keep your early adolescent safe and confident. You'll also learn about:

• How to separate your fear from your adolescent's behavior
• Resistance: is it normal and what you can do
• The importance of family values
• Why you should talk about sex with your early adolescent

The crop top can be an opportunity to educate your early adolescent

[2:09]Step 1: Get clear on your real fear. Separate your own story and release projection and get to the heart of why it feels uncomfortable for you.

[4: 08] They need to learn what it takes to make a healthy, confident decision for themselves

[4:16] Step 2: Define and express the family values you have and that you want your kid to internalize and bring to every decision that they make.

[5:00]"Middle School Matters" - your middle schooler is pushing and pulling against you so you have to know what you believe, otherwise they will fill in the blanks themselves.

[7:11] Step 3: Uncover what the crop top means to them and then teach them what it could mean to others.

[7:48] Your adolescent will be at different stages developmentally, never assume they think or feel something other people think or feel.

[8:07] 2013 Harvard Graduate School study of 1300 middle schoolers found that 25% of them had experienced verbal and/or physical sexual harassment and that number increases to 87% by high school.

[8:58] Your job is to educate and empower your kid to listen to their voice and your family values when something feels off.

A Guide to Uncomfortable Conversations

If you'd like a framework guide to help you have these uncomfortable conversations with your middle schooler, you can download the free handout here!

Like what you hear? Keep listening to the Elevated Adolescence Podcast