Understanding Middle Schoolers

They are awkward, hormonal, and either from the Axe or the B.O. are smelly.

Middle Schoolers are an enigmatic group that can be difficult for adults to connect with.  As one of those adults I have admittedly struggled to understand their context.  Anyone who assumes that a 13-year old is nearly the same as a 16-year old really doesn’t understand the unique nature of those early teenage years.

Being a Middle Schooler is tough, understanding one is just as difficult.

The other day I had an incredibly frustrating “customer service” experience.  We were on vacation but our luggage hadn’t made the connecting flight.  The airline told us our luggage would be on the way the following day.  So we waited and waited, called them again only to be told that it was now on the way.  The frustrating experience repeated itself until finally they told us it had already been delivered for some time.  Problem was that the hotel told us the bag had just arrived.  In the end we got our luggage but were left frustrated because no one took responsibility and made the situation right.

Caught in the middle, a little paranoid and absolutely powerless.  Seems to me that these are some of the emotional realities of a Middle Schooler.

When you are 13 you aren’t quite an adult, but no longer a child.  In every aspect of the word they are stuck. I joke with others that middle schoolers live in a world of drama, but what I consider ridiculous is their reality.  To them everyone potentially is out to get them.  They don’t meet most measurable standards of adulthood like driving, working and voting leaving them feeling very much powerless.

Next time you find yourself staring blankly at a Middle Schooler as they drone on about vampires or something else you don’t understand just think back to last time you got put on hold or couldn’t get someone to give you a straight answer and you will be a lot closer than you think.