Raising Responsible Middle Schoolers: An Educator's Tips for Parents 

Middle School comes with challenges and new responsibilities for many students. It can be tougher academically, with more work and higher standards for quality of work. Switching of classes can be challenging. Building a community of friends comes with its own challenges sometimes. Working through these obstacles in middle school will set students up for their future in high school and beyond. 

To support you as a parent, consider the following tips to help you and your middle schooler take responsibility and creating a successful year.  

Parenting Tips to Help Your Middle Schooler 

1. Help them stay organized.  

• • Encourage your child to use a planner to schedule homework, assessments, studying and extra-curriculars.  

• • Teach your child to use a calendar for family events, holidays, trips, etc. 

• • Organize all belongings the night before so they are ready to walk out the door in the morning. 

2. Guide students with the management of their time.  

• • Create a schedule for homework and studying. 

• • Set boundaries around social media and technology. 

• • Do not allow your child to overschedule themselves with extra-curriculars. 

• • Encourage family time. 

3. Encourage healthy habits. 

• • Eat a healthy diet. 

• • Do regular exercise or activities that promote movement. 

• • Get a good night’s sleep. 

4. Communicate with your child. 

• • Talk to your child on a regular basis. 

• • Listen during conversations. 

• • Ask open-ended questions. 

• • Be supportive and positive. Make it comfortable for them to talk to you. 

5. Have reasonable expectations. 

• • Let them fail. Use it as a learning experience.  

• • Don’t expect them to be able to juggle “all things” in middle school without your help. Be available. 

• • Encourage quality of life over achievement. Focus on effort. 

6. Encourage your child to advocate for themselves. 

• • Ask for help when needed. 

• • Be an active listener and engaged in class. 

Middle school isn’t just a steppingstone to high school. It’s a critical stage where habits, confidence, and curiosity take root. By focusing on these six areas and staying grounded, you’re giving your child the tools to navigate challenges, build independence, and enjoy these years instead of just surviving them.