"Parents should listen without judgment to foster open conversations with their kids." ~ Cindy West

Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel.

Join Yvette Hampton and special guest Cindy West on this compelling episode of our Homeschooling Through the Years Series, as they dive into the challenges of parenting middle schoolers. Learn how to encourage your child's talents, navigate awkward friendships, and maintain open, non-judgmental communication about important topics, like personal hygiene, puberty, academics, and social media. Discover practical strategies for teaching kids about godly friendships, addressing hormonal changes, and fostering social skills. Don't miss out on Cindy's expert advice for homeschooling middle schoolers! 

Come back tomorrow for the rest of this conversation. 

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Recommended Resources:

Podcast Note-Taking Guide

Gameschooling! Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Nature Schooling - Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Cindy’s The Magical Marvelous Years of Middle School (Video Training Course)

Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, by Kristen A. Jensen, MA

The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn

Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You (God's Design for Sex), by Stan Jones and Brenna Jones

Sequence Board Game

 

Recommended Middle School Curriculum:

Apologia Science

BJU Press Homeschool

CTCMath

 

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Discussion Questions:

1. Cindy West mentions the importance of being proactive about discussing hormonal changes with middle schoolers. How can parents initiate these conversations in a way that feels natural and isn't embarrassing for their children?

2. Yvette Hampton shares her experience of introducing natural deodorant to her daughters at a young age. What are some other early steps parents can take to help their children manage personal hygiene during puberty?

3. How do Cindy and Yvette suggest parents deal with the awkwardness of friendships during middle school? What are their recommendations for fostering more comfortable and open discussions about making friends?

4. The episode emphasizes looking outside the box for friendships. What are some unconventional places or groups where middle schoolers might find meaningful friendships?

5. Cindy and Yvette talk about teaching children to discern between close friends and acquaintances. What are some practical ways parents can guide their children in evaluating potential friends?

6. How can a logical thinking curriculum and Bible studies on friendship aid in developing skills for making godly friendships?

7. Cindy shares a story of a child who found good friends among band members at their church. How do shared interests help in forming friendships, and what should parents look for in shared interest groups for their children? What boundaries should parents establish to protect their children when interacting with adults?

8. In discussing social media, Cindy and Yvette emphasize setting boundaries and having open discussions. What are some specific strategies or guidelines that parents can use to help their children navigate social media safely? Check out our Social Media series for more insights on this topic.

9. The episode highlights the importance of guiding middle schoolers in identifying positive and ne