10 Ways Moms Can Bond With Middle School Daughters
Carolina Parent|August 2018

Middle school can be an exciting time for a girl. New friends, new school, new body, new crushes. Your baby is growing up — and that’s a good thing!

Michelle Icard
10 Ways Moms Can Bond With Middle School Daughters

But it’s not always smooth or easy. As she straddles childhood and teenage years, it’s hard for Mom to know where she fits in or what her new role is in parenting. As you navigate this new emotional territory, it’s important to give your daughter some leeway. Allow her to grow — and even make mistakes.

However, as I tell mother/daughter pairs in my Right in the Middle workshops, it’s not only important to keep the lines of communication open and to be willing to have the difficult conversations, but to know when and how to communicate. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Develop a “Botox Brow.”

Beginning around fifth or sixth grade, your daughter will start to assume you’re angry with her, even when you’re not. A teen’s brain uses the amygdala (the brain’s emotional center) to read people’s facial expressions, whereas an adult brain uses the more rational prefrontal cortex. The amygdala often misinterprets facial expressions. To avoid miscommunication during middle school, pretend you are a celebrity who has been over-Botoxed. In other words, if you keep a neutral expression when talking with your daughter, she’s less likely to think you’re angry and more willing to talk to you about sensitive matters.

2. Give each other space.

Middle school requires resilience from mothers and daughters as they figure out who they are when they are apart from one another. Don’t freak out if your daughter pulls away from you, or if you find your daughter more aggravating than in the past. This is not an indication that you’ll spend future holidays apart, or end up not speaking to one another. It’s merely a normal part of growing up.

Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Carolina Parent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Carolina Parent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CAROLINA PARENTSe alt
Helping Children Handle The Strongest Of Feelings
Carolina Parent

Helping Children Handle The Strongest Of Feelings

Helping children handle the strongest of feelings

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
7 Tips For Safe Holiday Online Shopping
Carolina Parent

7 Tips For Safe Holiday Online Shopping

7 Tips for safe holiday online shopping

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
The Joy Of Letters
Carolina Parent

The Joy Of Letters

I wish that joy could fill every moment of Jessie’s life, but children, like their parents, must overcome diffiulties. Two major challenges Jessie has faced in her young life come to mind.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Smart Speakers: Smart Choice?
Carolina Parent

Smart Speakers: Smart Choice?

Weighing the pros and cons of welcoming Alexa or Google Assistant into your home

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2019
Helping Children Through Winter Holiday Routine Changes
Carolina Parent

Helping Children Through Winter Holiday Routine Changes

The festivities leading up to and during the winter holidays can bring about many changes and disruptions to a family’s routine. Some children take these changes in stride, while others may need extra support to manage the excitement of the season.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2019
5 Ways To Address A Bad Grade On Your College Application
Carolina Parent

5 Ways To Address A Bad Grade On Your College Application

“Bad” can be a very relative term, particularly when attached to high school grades.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Bright Lights In Beaufort
Carolina Parent

Bright Lights In Beaufort

Historic homes adorned with red velvet bows, forest green garland wrapped around iconic Southern porches, and lights twinkling through windows are hallmarks of small-town holiday charm. Beaufort, named one of North Carolina’s

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Modern Midwifery
Carolina Parent

Modern Midwifery

This traditional birthing option has evolved to meet the needs of today’s pregnant moms

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2019
Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides And Ghostly Gatherings
Carolina Parent

Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides And Ghostly Gatherings

Autumn is a glorious season in the Triangle. Visit a local farm to hop on a hayride, sip apple cider and find your way out of corn maze. Scare yourself silly in one of the area’s celebrated haunted houses, or venture down a dark trail to greet the undead. Explore our vast selection of fall offerings, from tame experiences to frightful festivities. Events requiring a fee, ticket or donation are marked with an asterisk. Check the daily calendar section for more seasonal fun.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 2019
Hiking As A Family Benefits All Ages
Carolina Parent

Hiking As A Family Benefits All Ages

Hiking as a family benefits all ages.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2019