Thanks for the seating chart tip. I will be touching base with all her teachers soon. It's already third quarter and the only info I receive is from the mothers of her friends!
My daughter has turned into a CAT! very elusive!
One of my mom friends said to hang in there, it gets better after they turn 14. (two years to go!!!)
Momski, aside from the hormone issues at large, have you done any investigating as to how the seating arrangements are done in your daughter's classes. I too had this problem four years ago with my oldest daughter. To my surprise, I received a note from her teacher stating that my daughter's grades had taken a downfall and she had developed a "too cool for school" attitude. Sadly, middle school is where children tend to "act out" more (trying to find where they fit in, if you will). What I discovered is that my daughter had found a "new friend" and they seemed to bring out the worst in each other! Since the teacher's see your child all day, it's amazing how much more they are tuned into these problems than the parents. My situation turned out to be easy, we separated my daughter from her "new friend" and in time, all was good with the world again. That middle school "peer pressure" can really take a toll on the child who is truly struggling to "find themselves." On another note, and this just happens to be with my daughter, now that she is in high school, it has been much easier than it ever was in middle school. I hope this helps. [img]smile.gif[/img] Just another thought, could there be a "bully" issue that your daughter has not communicated with you?
I've found quite an interesting site which you can bring up by www.parentsoup.com
or www.ivillage.com/topics/parenting
(go to learning and then MiddleSchool Milestones).
There are chats, message boards and all sort of articles for parents with kids of all ages.
My son's kindergarten teacher and I have worked with him using their philosophies. He went from misbehaving and hating school to a good student and loving school in 3 months. It is for all ages. I even use it on my husband - don't tell him that. [img]smile.gif[/img]
I survived the middle school years and am still (relatively) sane. Okay, I have one more that will start next year but my older two are done. I did do a google search for you- try middle school parents bulletin board forum. I got to the third "o" in google without any good results but maybe you'll see something I didn't.
Middle school is a tough time and I am not looking forward to it again. The kids are dealing with hormone stuff, their bodies are changing, they are (some classes/schools) being challenged for the first time, their long time friends may have new or different friends. It's just a whole new ball game. I tried to stay connected by being involved in the parents group and volunteering to run any car-pools that I could. I learned more about school dances and relationships on the 10 minute car ride back from wherever than a 30 minute one on one talk with my son.
As far as my husband and I are concerned if our kids are trying their hardest, then an occasional C on a test is okay but they have to re-do the problem to see what they did wrong. An "F" however, would result in grounding and privleges taken away and whatever else it would take to get the grade up. Although middle school grades don't count like hs ones, they are THE determining factor in what classes one takes in HS. Good luck, if I find any bb's, I'll post again.
