Children are getting ready to go back to school in a few weeks. I hope their summer break has been relaxing.

         Some children are becoming anxious about returning to school. Parents need to be attentive to their children’s attitudes. Anxiety could indicate a concern with other children in the school, perhaps a lost friendship, or a bully. Or, perhaps your child did not have a successful year of learning last year and they are fearful of the coming year. We must be attentive in order to help the children to overcome these fears.

Ninth graders have a particularly challenging year ahead of them. Many studies show that 9^th grade is the hardest. The difficulty is not just with the courses but with the social relationships and the difference of maturity within 9^th grade and throughout high school where ages range from 14-18. Boyfriends and girlfriends, peer pressure, the culture of experimentation with smoking (tobacco & marijuana), using alcohol and other drugs – all of these create complications for young teenagers. Parents need to find time to communicate with their teenage sons and daughters. The adolescence of today is not the adolescence of our childhood.

Parents must not think: “I was once a teenager, therefore I know all that I need to know about being a teenager.” There are cultural and social differences about which parents need to learn. Teenagers are key teachers about their reality. Parents and teenagers need to establish a good rapport not only when there is a crisis, but in the calm moments in order to create the foundation upon which to rely when difficulties or disagreements arise. Praying with your teenagers so that they can hear you asking God what you hope for them can be helpful. Also, parents of 7^th and 8^th graders need to be deliberate about creating this good foundation so that the high school years will proceed with more tranquilly. Pray WITH your children.

Of course, there is a significant responsibility that falls upon the teenager. He/she must be courageous enough to be honest with parents. If teenagers are trying to deceive their parents it becomes even more difficult to form a trusting relationship after the deception is discovered. Trust is a two-way street. Parents, too, must continually work to gain and maintain the trust of their sons and daughters. May God be with all children, parents, teachers, and administrators in the coming school year.
Peace, Fr. Andy