What a (Seventh Grade) Girl Really Wants

Chloe is now in the seventh grade. A generation ago, this would be the first year of Junior High School. Today it is the second of the three years of Middle School. Typically, the girls pull ahead of the boys in stature and reading skills while the boys pull ahead of the girls in math. Nearly all the girls are using bras and menstrual pads. Likewise, most of the boys are experiencing the effects of a significant increase in testosterone.

Recovering from a Sudden Relocation

By the end of sixth grade, Chloe, Katherine and Robbie seemed inseparable. While Chloe had many other friends, Katherine and Robbie were her primary friends. The summer seemed mainly focused on things they would be doing together. There were plenty of sleepovers along with campfires at Robbie’s house and horror movie nights at Katherine’s house. The girls were comfortable and the parents liked the friendships.

What We Can Read While Washing our Hands

Philip and I arrived two hours early in Oxford Hills for a Sunday evening admissions presentation by Ingram University, which was quickly becoming Philip’s first choice and long-shot school. I had brought a book; Philip had brought Ingram’s large glossy brochure as well as an SAT Preparation guide. We ate a fast food dinner and then Philip asked if there was somewhere more comfortable we could wait. I selected the Oxford Inn which was just three miles from the upcoming presentation.

I Want to Communicate Between These Extremes

Sometimes and in some ways, the difference between Philip and Chloe is particularly pronounced. It is more than just the gender and age difference, although those differences play a significant role of course. This summer, the difference between my two teenagers is most pronounced in the way they want to communicate with their parents.

My Favorite Holiday

Holidays are special. For most kids, three holidays stand out. Halloween stands out because of the costumes and the night-time candy adventure. Presents make Christmas (or one of its December alternatives) stand out. And finally Independence Day stands out thanks to the fireworks. Of these, my favorite holiday as a child was Independence Day, and it has remained my favorite holiday into adulthood.

Middle School Boys in a Pack

National news this month includes the strange story of an online video showing a pack of middle school boys bullying an elderly bus monitor. The bus monitor maintained that individually these were nice boys. She was probably telling the truth, but packed together these boys turned into something very toxic.

Nine Ways the Best Colleges Resemble Hogwarts

Despite the very silly-sounding name, J.K. Rowling’s Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry pulls at the heart-strings of Western culture and perhaps even taps into a deep primal longing. While Hermes High School will always hold a special place in Philip’s heart, my hope is that his undergraduate experience will prove to be the best part of his late adolescence. In short, I not only want him to earn an education that will launch him into a successful adult professional life, I also want him to spend four years at a place that resembles Rowling’s Hogwarts.