Middle school stress! How to calm your back to school jitters

For most kids, school is either on the horizon or already back in session, and if you've got kids heading to middle school for the first time, it can be intimidating!

From texting, video chat, social media and raging hormones, moms can get a bit nervous!

Lynne Kenney, PsyD has some great mom-generated tips to help you and your kids navigate middle school:

1. Get informed
There are a lot of rumors flying around about sexting, rainbow parties, drug use and more. Some of these are in fact true and supported by feedback from police agencies. But we need not panic. Become a parent who knows the facts by joining the PTO at your school and reading relevant books and articles on the teen years.

2. Learn to talk effectively with your tweens
Annie Fox at anniefox.com and Dr. Oguntala at TheTeenDoc.com offer timely and meaningful tips on communicating with your tweens. Consider reading "The Parent as Coach" by Diana Sterling, "Are you Wearing That?" by Deborah Tannen and "Get Out of My Life but First Will You Take Me and Cheryl To The Mall" by Anthony E. Wolf Ph.D. Learn to appreciate the ebbs and flows in your relationship, they will come close then be distanced. This is part of the tween-parent relationship.

3. Back To School Tour
Participate in school offerings from the Back To School Tour offered at most middle schools to the parent education seminars provided during the year. Learn what activities your school has to offer so that your kids are busy developing skills through activities at school such as sports, photography, art, music and dance. Research shows that kids who are involved in activities have less down time, less screen time and develop friendships with more productive schoolmates.

4. Take your tween seriously
Your tween is closer now to being an adult than a child. Your role is moving more toward mentor and coach. Respect your tween's personal privacy. I don't mean fail to check their room if you suspect drug use. But I do mean stop talking about them, sharing their experiences with your friends and talking about them like they are a youngster. Having them overhear you on the phone talking about their stuff is the fastest way to make them feel outed. They'll clam up like no tomorrow.

5. Problem solving
Teach your child problem solving and decision making skills by listening carefully to their concerns and generating solutions with them. Allow them some personal space where you do not constantly question. Allow them to come to you to start a dialogue. If you must, use open ended questions and refrain from offering your immediate opinions.

6. Make time for your tweens
Just because they are into their friends doesn't mean they are not into you. Find out what interests them and learn how to participate. If it's a sport, art or music, get with the current trends so that you can express interest and share their enthusiasm. Finding common ground is the key.

"There is a lot of opportunity for middle school to be a time of growth, adventure and skill building," says Kenney. "Step out of your own shoes and into your tweens to stay close to the action."

For more information head to Lynne Kenney's website.