What to do for 7th grader who feels 'invisible'?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
DC has 1-2 friends at school but he says that most of the times kids ignore him and he feels invisible. How can I help him to have self-esteem and feel less ignored at school? At home, he is a happy, funny, outgoing kid. At camp this summer, he made lots of friends. In elementary school, he also was 'well-liked' and had friends. Not sure what is going on in MS...but I do think that over time he has become quieter and quieter at school.
Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon with MSers and were able to help them? His school experience is not very good right now..... |
Anonymous
| Aww I'm sorry to hear that ❤️ Does he do extracurriculars? Any team sports or martial arts? |
Anonymous
| It is probably because elementary schools are small and everybody interacts with everybody. Middle schools are much larger. |
Anonymous
He is involved in an out-of-school choir and plays trumpet in the school band. (Feels lots of good vibes/success with both). Occasional parkour. He kind of hates team sports despite all of my pushing to do them over the years....does cross country, swim, and track practices for the exercise. |
Anonymous
| Has he tried talking to someone, or is he treating everyone else like they are invisible? |
Anonymous
And less departmental. With the same small group of kids all day. Same at camp. |
Anonymous
| Listen quietly. Yes, that sounds tough. Remember that 7th grade is the armpit of the school years. Suggest that he brainstorm ways to become more involved. But primarily, 7th grade is the armpit. |
Anonymous
|
It’s an adjustment as kids go from small cohorts to larger schools where they ARE a bit invisible. His teachers will not be as focused on him. But he should work on developing his own little crew of friends who care and developing relationships with teachers. Staying a bit after to chat with them, greeting them when enters or saying goodbye as he leaves. These little things go a long way to forming good relationships with teachers. Also, encourage him share things about his life.
Outgoing kids definitely benefit in this area, but it’s a skill all kids should work on. It takes time. Definitely reassure him that many kids feel as he does, they just don’t tell him. |
Anonymous
| Clubs should be starting in a few weeks, that might be a better place to meet kids with similar interests. I suspect he will get to know kids in Band but it will take more then a week. |
Anonymous
Sounds like he has a lot of involvement. I would just give it time. Focus on the kids he interacts with most. |
Anonymous
|
Middle school is when the immense majority of children feel awkward and as if they don't fit in, so your kid is by no means the only one, OP! My kids embraced the weirdness and stuck to a few nerdy friends and acquaintances. The benefit was that it kept them out of trouble. I didn't have to worry about the popular groups who were experimenting with drinking and partying, nor did I have to worry about the rebel group who went to Montgomery Mall to shoplift.
|
Anonymous
| Therapy |
Anonymous
|
Hasn't there been like 1 week of school?
Or less I wouldn't entertain this |
Anonymous
And pharmaceuticals. |
Anonymous
You sound nice. |