Middle School: Hormones, Hygiene, and Homeschooling Adventures – Cindy West (Through the Years Series)
"Talk openly and proactively about challenging topics to prepare your kids for the world." ~ Cindy West
Cindy West joins Yvette Hampton for a deep dive into middle school for our Homeschooling Through the Years Series. In this episode, Cindy and Yvette discuss these crucial and challenging times filled with hormones, growth spurts, and awkward moments. Cindy shares her experiences and insights from homeschooling her own kids and offers invaluable advice on how to navigate these years with grace and joy. We also touch on topics like game schooling, nature studies, and creating a joyful learning environment.
Recommended Resources:
Gameschooling! Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Nature Study - Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast - Part 1 | Part 2
Cindy’s The Magical Marvelous Years of Middle School (Video Training Course)
Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, by Kristen A. Jensen, MA
The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn
Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You (God's Design for Sex), by Stan Jones and Brenna Jones
Recommended Middle School Curriculum:
Podcast Recommendations:
Listen to the full Homeschooling Through the Years Series here.
Homeschooling Every Subject Series
Schoolhouse Rocked Series and Topic Directory
Stream Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution for FREE Tonight!
Get your FREE Homeschool Survival Kit!
Discussion Questions:
1. Cindy West mentions that she sees herself as an advocate for "creative, joyful homeschooling." What does joyful homeschooling mean to you, and how do you think it can be implemented during the middle school years?
2. Both Yvette and Cindy talk about their different experiences with middle schoolers. How do you think the dynamics of homeschooling change when you have a middle schooler as opposed to an elementary school student?
3. Cindy shares that she initially found middle schoolers challenging through her substitute teaching experiences but found homeschooling them to be "precious." What do you think are the key differences between homeschooling and traditional schooling that may account for this change in perspective?
4. Hormones and emotional upheavals are a recurring theme in the discussion. How do you handle or plan to handle conversations about puberty and the emotional changes that come with it?
5. Cindy and Yvette stress the importance of open communication with middle schoolers. What are some strategies you use or plan to use to create an open and honest communication channel with your child?
6. The episode touches on the influence of external factors like social media and YouTube on kids. How do you manage or plan to manage digital content and screen time for your middle schooler?
7. Cindy talks about teaching middle school co-op classes and how fulfilling that experience has been. What are the benefits and challenges you see in joining or forming a homeschool co-op, especially during the middle school years?
8. Yvette mentions the different ways her daughters have experienced the middle school years. How do you personalize homeschooling approaches based on each child's unique needs and developmental stages?
9. Discuss the importance of having both parents involved in the homeschooling journey, as highlighted by the interactions between Yvette and Garritt with their daughters. How can single parents or those with less involved spouses find support?
10. The episode ends with a teaser about discussing academics in the next part. Based on what's been discussed so far, how do you think academic expectations and strategies should shift during the middle school years?
11. Cindy West mentions the importance of being proactive about discussing hormonal changes with middle schoolers. How can parents initiate these conversations in a way that feels natural and isn't embarrassing for their children?
12. Yvette Hampton shares her experience of introducing natural deodorant to her daughters at a young age. What are some other early steps parents can take to help their children manage personal hygiene during puberty?
13. How do Cindy and Yvette suggest parents deal with the awkwardness of friendships during middle school? What are their recommendations for fostering more comfortable and open discussions about making friends?
14. The episode emphasizes looking outside the box for friendships. What are some unconventional places or groups where middle schoolers might find meaningful friendships?
15. Cindy and Yvette talk about teaching children to discern between close friends and acquaintances. What are some practical ways parents can guide their children in evaluating potential friends?
16. How can a logical thinking curriculum and Bible studies on friendship aid in developing skills for making godly friendships?
17. Cindy shares a story of a child who found good friends among band members at their church. How do shared interests help in forming friendships, and what should parents look for in shared interest groups for their children? What boundaries should parents establish to protect their children when interacting with adults?
18. In discussing social media, Cindy and Yvette emphasize setting boundaries and having open discussions. What are some specific strategies or guidelines that parents can use to help their children navigate social media safely?
19. The episode highlights the importance of guiding middle schoolers in identifying positive and negative traits in friends. How can parents help their children make these distinctions in a constructive manner?
20. Perseverance in middle school homeschooling is promoted in the episode. What are some challenges parents might face during this period, and how can they overcome them while supporting their children's social and personal development?
21. **Understanding Middle School Dynamics:** How do the hormone and personality changes during middle school years impact a child’s approach to independence in academics, and how can parents navigate this transition effectively?
22. **Balancing Academics and Passions:** Cindy West talked about integrating a student’s passions into their studies, like creating a unit study on horses. How can parents identify and incorporate their child's interests into the curriculum to keep them engaged?
23. **Independence in Learning:** What are some effective strategies for allowing middle school students to exercise independence in their education without compromising academics?
24. **Handling Academic Tensions:** Cindy mentioned the normalcy of tensions when kids want to approach academics differently. What are some techniques to handle these situations without conflict?
25. **Involvement and Ownership:** How can involving students in the decision-making process of their education reduce their resistance to learning?
26. **Customized vs. Standardized Education:** What are the key advantages of a homeschool environment where the education can be tailored to individual learning styles compared to a standardized curriculum?
27. **Building Relationships Through Education:** How does balancing serious academics with play and exploration build stronger relationships between parents and their middle school children? How does it contribute to the child's overall education and perception of the school years?
28. **Gameschooling and Logic Learning:** Why is "gameschooling" and teaching logic critical during middle school years, and how can these methods be effectively integrated into a homeschool curriculum?
29. **Support Systems for Homeschooling Parents:** Cindy emphasized finding support from other moms. How important is a support network for homeschooling parents, and what are some ways to build such a network?
30. **Endurance and Commitment:** Cindy mentioned the importance of not giving up. What are some practical tips and motivational strategies for parents who are facing challenges in homeschooling their middle school children?
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