Eps 483: Douglas Haddad teaches us about creating encouragement for middle schoolers

Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens

My friend Douglas Haddad is here this week to chat about all things middle school, with a focus on encouraging discouraged learners.

Douglas has been teaching for over 24 years (at ONE school!), and I love his commitment to his students. Douglas shares what he’s seen changing during that period, like higher anxiety & social media misuse, and what’s stayed the same, like a child’s need to feel loved, heard, and understood.

Douglas shares his wisdom on keeping middle schoolers encouraged & engaged: making sure they understand the systems in place around them, how we can help when our kid isn’t connecting with a teacher, collaborating on family agreements, and helping our tweens grow their tolerance for discomfort.

Takeaways from the show

• What’s different between middle school today & when you were a tween?
• “Loved, heard, and understood”
• What does discouragement look like in the classroom?
• Wait Until 8th Pledge
• Does your child know & understand the systems in place around them?
• How to help foster connection between your child & their teachers
• Family contracts, charters, agreements, & meetings
• Being available without an agenda or judgment
• Setting & celebrating small goals
• Scaffolding for our kiddos to grow their tolerance for discomfort

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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