My darling daughter,
Here we go again, hurtling toward another milestone: you’re in middle school!
Throughout fifth grade, there was so much anticipation, so many questions, so many concerns (that you mostly shared between your friends) about what to expect. Your elementary school did a fabulous job of preparing you for this transition, but I wanted to emphasize, even though I’m sure you’re already sick and tired of hearing it from me, that I’m here for you. Always.
I still remember how you, as a little girl, used to hide behind me when we went somewhere new. I still remember how you clutched onto the back of my pants, not wanting to let go. This persisted through preschool and kindergarten… and then the world flipped upside down because of Covid. You pivoted. We pivoted—as a family and how we approached life and learning.
Here we are five years later, and I think both you and I can agree that you’ve come a long way. You no longer hide behind me, and you’ve found your voice. But that doesn’t change the fact that there will be times as you grow up, especially as middle school gets underway, when you won’t totally know how to handle something.
Darling girl, I might be “old,” as you say, but I’ve lived it. Even if it may have been *ahem* a few decades ago, I have been there. In other words, I understand how middle school can be… challenging, socially and academically.
But it’s also a time of discovery and learning who you are and who you want to be. I’ve talked to the moms of your besties, and we all agree that we’re glad you found some of your “people,” other girls you feel like you can be 100% yourself with—and that is HUGE.
Then, when class schedules were released, and we realized all those besties weren’t in any of your classes… those big feelings surrounded us (because yes, I promise you, I felt them, too). It’s okay to feel those feelings.
No matter how young (or old) you are, change can be hard. You won’t figure out everything right away, but I promise you, one of these days…
You’ll figure out how to open that finicky locker of yours.
You’ll know your schedule like you know the lyrics to your favorite Olivia Rodrigo songs.
You might lose some friends, but I promise you’ll make some new ones, too.
In the process, you’ll grow up and learn a whole lot about yourself.
Through all the ups and downs, please know this: I am here for you, whenever you need me, whether it be with a hug or a sounding board for whatever you want to share.
I can just picture you rolling your eyes at me now. And that’s okay, too. Because no matter how old you are, you’ll always be my girl.
Love you, always and forever,
Mom
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