Parenting is tough enough with all the different stages of children. You think if I just get past the terrible twos, the horrible threes, etc.−well, now you have a brand new stage to consider. That is when your child becomes a Tween. The word tween is a relatively recent term that is associated with children ages 9−12, not old enough to be a teenager, but just growing out of being a little kid.

A primary attribute of this stage is that kids are in the process of transitioning to middle school aft er the 5th grade. This movement sees young elementary students enter into a setting that mixes young kids and older kids, which can at times be rather overwhelming for your young one. It’s hard enough being a kid in this day and age, now kids have to worry about things that they were hardly aware of before. They are trying to adjust from being a kid to a strange in-between age. It can truly be difficult to fit in and manage through all the changes transitioning into this Tween age group.

FIND ACTIVITIES: Middle school offers many more activities for students compared to elementary school, and the best way to get involved is to find an activity that you would want to get involved with. Th ere are clubs, sports and music opportunities, and this may be a great chance to find out what your child actually likes. Th e activities they like might be something they can stick with through high school and give them a chance to meet other kids with similar interests.

PLAN AHEAD: Th ere is a shift between elementary and middle school when it comes to work load. Th e kids have a variety of classes, and with those classes come projects and homework.

The key is to be organized and plan ahead. Looking at the syllabus and fi guring out how to stay ahead of the game is a great idea. It’s important to set time aside for studying and homework. Keeping an agenda or planner and writing down due dates of projects, test dates and homework can be a great habit to start early. As we all know, planning and organization is important for the future.

STAY STRONG: In this age group, kids start getting exposed to things that they normally would not see until high school, such as drugs, mounting peer pressure, skipping classes—just to name a few of the really nasty ones. It is essential to educate and speak with your children on the issues that can come up during middle school. Starting uncomfortable conversations at a young age might be a good idea since your kids will be exposed to these ideas from the television and teen magazines anyway. You should beat them to it and make your case early on. Th e more informed your kids are the better. Teach them to be strong and do what is right.

BE YOURSELF: Middle school can be a challenge for your child as they try to fi gure out who they are and what they like. It is important to encourage your child to be themselves and to not be a follower of a crowd. It is okay to have friends, but your child should know that they should never lose sight of who they are. Th is can be a tough time when your tween wants to fi t in or be in the “cool crowd,” but they should always know the difference between right and wrong.

BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION: The big concern that comes to mind for tweens is bullying or how some of their peers will treat them. Drama is not just an elective. When it comes to middle school, some of the drama can follow kids through high school. This can have an impact on kids, as we have seen with all the recent stories of bullying and the horrible outcomes. It’s important to teach your child that it is not okay to mistreat others and to bully. It is also important to have open communication and be involved to make sure your child is not a victim of the various types of bullying that can happen at their age and beyond. Make sure your tween knows that you are there to help whether they are part of a problem at school or they have witnessed it. It is important as a parent to contact the school administration for assistance in dealing with these types of situations.

The best advice is to talk to your tween, be involved, and have a strong presence in their life. It is never too early to arm your children with knowledge and to make sure you are with them every step of the way.

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ROSANNA AKHAVAN was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She attended George Mason University and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor's Degree in political science, all the while participating in extracurricular activities such as art, dance, journalism, and creative writing. She has been a freelance writer for various publications since 2003.