Review: Middle School: The Inside Story by Cynthia Tobias and Sue Acuna

Middle School: The Inside Story
Author - TCynthia Tobias and Sue Acuna
Time It Took for to Read - 1 Week
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Friends:YesRemember middle school? Many parents would rather not. It's often a rough ride, filled with insecurity, peer pressure, awkwardness, and world-rocking change. This book provides practical, hands-on advice for helping your child through this minefield--with information about what he or she is really going through, but isn't likely to share.Best-selling learning-styles expert Cynthia Tobias and veteran teacher Sue Acuna reveal what they've found by listening to kids when parents aren't around--and give you insider tips on how to bless your middle-schooler with success in class, at home, and in relationships. Topics include advice for keeping communication lines open, predictable physical and social issues, and solutions for problems like self-centeredness and over-the-top emotions

Why I Chose This Book...So my daughter is 10 years old and is entering the fifth grade in September. She is entering Middle School (Dun Dun Dun)! She is excited and I am freaking out!!! Things are just diferent in middle school. Hormones and feelings come into play, as well as more independence. I am not quite ready, but I doubt I would ever be. So I found saw this book and a light clicked. I hadn't even thought to read about how to deal with this upcoming journey that will effect not just my daughter but our family life as a whole. I know its not what I typically review, BUT I know that there are many of you out there are probably experiencing what I am and I wanted to share this with you all.
What I Loved...First and foremost that this book was written from a Christian perspective. I am always leery of advice that is not rooted in biblical principles. Second, it includes real life quotes from middle schoolers. These authors didn't just write what "they" think. They studied and work with middle schoolers. Interiewing them and using what they learned to help us lost parents understand our middle schoolers better.

Speaking of lost. You maybe thinking that you are not, as had I. This book opened up so many things that I realized that I was lost. There were so many things that described my daughter and then I learned why she behaved in such ways. A real eye opener. I actually felt convicted of so many things. Don't get me wrong, my relationship with my daughter is strong, but I am hoping to keep it that way. Middle School changes our kids and I want to keep our relationship strong even through the middle school years.

What I Liked...The direct quotes from the middle schoolers were cute. While I sometimes went into Mom mode, I realized that these were their true feelings whether I agreed or not. Again a real eye opener.

Other...My husband is not a reader as I am, but I told him that he definitely had to read this book. While I feel like I can now be more understanding to my daughter's needs and actions, if my hubby and I aren't on the same page, chaos is sure to ensue in our home.

The book is not about letting your middle schoolers get away with whatever because they are changing phyically and emotionally, but teaching parents how to deal with the change while still being productive parents and not pushing our kids away.

I plan to use this as a resource guide for all upcoming middle school situations, as they arise.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Tyndale BlogNetwork. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.