Asking middle schoolers to think toward their future is a challenge. Their brains are still developing, and with that, so is their capacity for forward-thinking. When they think about the future, it all honestly feels a little unclear! To help them, break down this concept into smaller periods of time. Start by having them think about the future short-term, like just tomorrow, or the next week, or the next month. Then, build up to having them think more long-term, like considering the future in the next months, year, and beyond. Remember that no matter how far ahead they’re thinking, the goal is to root their mindset about the future not in what feels uncertain but in what does: God and the trust they can place in their faith no matter what happens next.
Have questions for us? Feel free to reach out directly at transit@npaustin.com.
Parenting is hard in every stage, especially in middle school. We created this resource page to help you get it right.