Between: A guide for parents of eight to thirteen-year-olds

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Jūsu mazajam pusaudzim ir nepieciešams, lai jūs būtu viņa advokāts. Viņam ir jāzina, ka jūs esat viņa stiprā klints un pat tajos brīžos, kad jums būs grūti, jūs viņu aizstāvēsiet, atbalstīsiet un nodrošināsiet, ka pret viņu izturēsies ar līdzjūtību un cieņu, ko viņš ir pelnījis. Tas, ka jūs esat gatavi iestāties par savu mazo pusaudzi un viņu aizstāvēt, ir pats galvenais, kas ļaus viņam saprast, ka jūs vienmēr būsiet viņa rīcībā. Tas savukārt nodrošinās daudz lielāku iespēju, ka mazais pusaudzis jums atvērsies un lūgs palīdzību, kad tas būs nepieciešams. Physical punishment is not a necessary part of disciplining children and can be harmful to the wellbeing of both child and parent.’ Sarah is a mother of four young adults. After graduating with an honors degree in Psychology; she embarked on a career in Pharmaceutical Research and Development. After she became pregnant with her first child, Sarah retrained as an Antenatal Teacher, Hypnotherapist, Infant Massage Instructor and Doula. Since 2005, she has worked with thousands of families, providing expert advice and support. I found the chapter on raising a financially literate tween one of the most interesting and am already putting ideas I read into place to open these conversations and teach money management. There is a lot of food for thought as well as practical tips on how to prepare our tweens for real life.

Time passes in the blink of an eye. Surely it was only yesterday when that warm, mewing bundle was placed in your arms, eyes fixing on yours with all the intensity and knowing of an old soul who has lived many times before, yet in a tiny body, so fragile and new. Through sleepless nights and weary days, you came to know each other. Your world and your priorities shifted, and you slowly assumed a new identity that centred upon your child. A child who orbited you like a satellite, with you the safety of a home planet and the constant pull of gravity keeping you tied as one. Their dependence on you sometimes felt so very heavy, so all- consuming, and there were days (and many nights) when you reminisced and wished for your carefree past. Whatever worries tweens may have about the transition to a new school, the two most important responses from parents and carers are, firstly, to listen and, secondly, to empower them to cope with their concerns. The following tips can help with the latter:See if you can find other new starters and arrange a lunch date with them before term begins. Local social-media groups are good for linking up with other parents.

Vairāk par visu bērniem ir vajadzīga mūsu beznosacījuma mīlestība – vienalga, vai viņi gūst panākumus vai pieļauj kļūdas, kad dzīve ir viegla un kad dzīve ir grūta. Even if the school is running settling-in sessions, ask if you can have a video tour of the building, or at least some photos of your child’s new form room and form tutor. Familiarising themselves with these before the beginning of term can help them to feel more comfort- able when they start. We were still children, for all that we thought we weren’t. We were in that in- between place, the twilight between childish things and grown- up things.’ Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook , Christina Henry So much has been written about toddlers and teenagers that I was under the impression that these middle years were the smooth bit. As a parent of a ten year old I am now very aware that there is already a lot going on and I feel like two different people inhabit his body sometimes. The child I had, and the teen he is preparing to grow into. This is the first book I have seen that covers this 'between' stage and I like Sarah Okwell-Smith's approach to parenting so I was excited to see if it would help me navigate these pre teen changes. I don't tend to read parenting books often but I am happy to accept any help to equip me through these challenges, especially knowing I have another four children to guide through this stage. Try to focus on the positives. Ask your tween what they are most looking forward to about starting their new school. Speak about the new opportunities they will have and the activities they love. You could also find out what lunchtime and after-school clubs will be running and share the list with your tween, to build excitement.

Chapter 13 is the final chapter, which is no coincidence. It feels right to leave you at the age when your child becomes a true teenager – the official end of the tween years. Parting is the theme of this chapter: how to let go and give your child wings to fly (especially when you feel like holding on tight) is something many struggle with. How much independence is too much, or too little? And how do you cope with your own feelings as your child reaches towards looming adulthood. Although this book is about your tween, it is also about you as a parent, and it feels fitting to end with a chapter that concerns you as much as your child. After all, you will always be standing at one end of that bridge, watching with pride as your child continues their journey through the in between, but ready and waiting with open arms should they need to return to you again.