1.31.2006
Survival Skills
I wouldn't go back to the Junior High years for a million dollars. Really. A million. I can still remember with vivid clarity the day I got a phone call from my "two best friends."
Me: Hello.
Shannon: Hello, Michelle?
Nicole: Hello.
Me: Hey! What are you guys doing?
Shannon: (Said in the most syrupy, sweet voice imaginable.) Well, what we're calling to say is, Michelle, we still LIKE you the same and we still LOVE you the same, but we don't want to be your best friend anymore.
The junior high years are difficult at best and torturous at worst. Lately, Emma and I have been going over basic Junior High survival skills. These skills include but are not limited to:
-Being kind to people who are not kind to you.
-How to avoid people who are a bad influence without snubbing or hurting them.
-Problem solving
-Compromising
-Asking for Help
-Offering to Help
-Giving and receiving a suggestion for improvement
-Staying “no” to gossip
Hmm, now that I think about it, these are basic LIFE survival skills.
2 Comments:
That story is So sad! I'm sure millions of others could probably tell stories like it. Junior high is a tough scene. I'm glad you are already preparing your sweetie for all that!
It is a very difficult time during these years...I picked up a note a couple of weeks ago...one of my 9th graders had written to a friend about having a miscarriage last year...then yesterday I took up a note from one of my "successful, outgoing, very smart and makes good grades, cheerleader girls" and she wrote about how she was "cutting". Her Mom works here at our school...we conferenced with a CIS counselor and I watched her and the Mom shed tears...she showed her Mom the scabs on her wrists...her Mom had no idea..but the girl was using it as an outlet for all the pressure she feels...UGH...never too late to watch out for anything our kids are dealing with at this age. She told her Mom she started doing it in JR. High because others did it and it was fun to talk about it and compare....Now she is doing it for stress relieving measures...I'm so glad you and Abbey talk about everything...I think behind praying..talking is the VERY most important step you can take to keep your kids safe and healthy during those years...I hope I do a good job when my sweeties get there....
Ruth
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