Tell your child, “I know middle school is competitive. Everybody’s trying really hard to be noticed, to be popular. But I want you to know something. You’re unique, you’re special. You don’t have to become someone else to be appreciated around here. I love you as you are. If you’re going to compete for something, compete to be the good guy who is a friend to everybody and helps others. Then you don’t have to worry about who’s in the popular crowd and who’s not, since those positions will change fast anyway.” Your child may give you a nod or shrug, and you might not be sure he heard, but he
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