Homeschooling middle school kids may be the most challenging part of homeschooling your children. Middle school kids are in a big transition in their lives. Many of them are entering puberty and their bodies and brains are flooded with hormones. They are trying to be more independent at a time when they really can’t be. They aren’t our little boys and girls anymore. It’s hard on parents too.

Homeschooling middle school kids is probably the best thing you can do for kids in these in-between years. It gives them the opportunity to develop without being in the pressure cooker of public school. In this post, I’ll share what you can reasonably expect from your middle school kids and how to educate them at a time when it’s harder for them to learn.

Expectations for Middle School Kids

If this is your first time to have a middle school aged kid, you might be surprised that they still need a lot of supervision. They get distracted, they dawdle, and they don’t do what they say they’re going to do. It’s not uncommon to hand a 10-13 year-old a math paper to work on and come back to check their work only to find that they haven’t done a single problem. Don’t be surprised that you have to sit with them to keep them on track or to check on them more often during their independent work.

They also have a harder time learning new concepts during this time of their lives due to the effects of hormones. The good news is that middle school is a time that we do a lot of review of subjects and topics that were studied in elementary school. History is generally taught in repeating cycles, with a little bit more rigor each time. Middle school math is reinforcing what was learned earlier- addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, plus a few more concepts that utilize those skills.

They need more sleep – almost as much as when they were toddlers. Middle school kids need between 9-12 hours of sleep a day. My almost 13-year-old son has been sleeping 12 hours a day. Another perk of homeschooling in the middle school years is that you can allow your child to sleep as much as they need and homeschool around those needs.

Homeschooling middle school kids also means that you should expect them to be more emotional. They have outbursts and tantrums. This can be shocking to parents who thought that those days were behind them. It’s hard to maintain your calm when you’re looking at a kid who looks more grown up but is acting like a much younger child. Try not to take it personally when your child calls you names or acts rude. You still need to hold them accountable for their behavior of course. Making sure they get plenty of exercise in the middle school years will help them regulate their emotions better.

Puberty also brings out or exacerbates some issues that were previously not an issue or were more manageable. If your child has ADHD, puberty can make things more difficult for a while.

But, homeschooling middle school kids can also be a fun time. You’re watching your child become more of who they’re going to be. They’re often wise and witty. My son and I spend a lot of time laughing over silly things he’s found on the Internet. He amazes me with his knowledge and insight.

Enjoying Your Middle School Kid

Homeschooling middle school kids is a lot easier when you set your mind on enjoying them. Make time to let them talk to you about the memes they like, their Minecraft conquests, their hair, and whatever else they want to tell you. They’re pretty self-obsessed at this age and most conversations are about them and their interests. Get into their world as much as you can by sharing funny memes with them, asking them questions about things they’re interested in, and by being their biggest cheerleader. This will build positive emotional connections that help to get you both through the tougher times.

My son likes going to the movies, so I make time for us to do that together and also make a point of inviting his friends and their parents to join us. There’s no better support group for you as the parent of a middle school kid than other homeschool parents with middle school kids!

Educating Your Middle School Kid

Homeschooling middle school kids means that you may find that you need to change curriculum in the middle school years. I recently changed our curriculum because of the difficulties we were experiencing last year. So far I’m cautiously optimistic that this change will prove beneficial.

You may find that your child does better having someone other than you teach them certain subjects. This is a great time to get involved in a co-op or sign up for some enrichment classes. Outside classes are great for teaching time management and helping your child to gain the skills they will need as they move into their high school years. Co-ops are also great for building friendships for your kid and for you. Taking yourself out of the equation for a difficult subject will often help your relationship with your child because you’re not the “bad guy” forcing them to do math or write an essay.

Ask your child if there is anything they want to learn or do. This might be the time that they want to join a sports league, try 4-H, or get involved in volunteering in an interest area. Often these extra-curricular interests become lifelong pursuits.

Wrapping up

Homeschooling middle school kids can be equal parts terrifying and terrific. There are many parents who’ve already done it and are now enjoying homeschooling their high school kids. To homeschool middle school kids successfully you need support, a sense of humor, and lots of love. I wish you all the best! Happy Homeschooling!