Self-limiting Beliefs

We’re newbie middle school parents with our oldest entering 6th grade this fall. Yet after five weeks I am experiencing an identity problem. Which Weber family member entered middle school? I’m feeling like a beaten up middle schooler myself.

It all started well enough, but things went downhill with the grades the last few weeks. We received a notice of Ian’s first “D”, and his 3-day suspension from participating in cross country.

Some of the teachers have been trying to help by notifying us of upcoming tests and giving Ian second chances on turning assignments in. When we reviewed Power School together I questioned Ian how he did not improve his score after his teacher allowed him to do his assignment again. Ian couldn’t explain it other than he felt rushed and it was hard.

It’s not that Ian doesn’t want to do well and doesn’t care. But watching him I can see the effects of his self-limiting beliefs. He is very bright and creative. The teachers tell us he’s an A / B student. But once he senses the task is too hard and he might fail, he starts slowing down his effort and sabotaging his success. I see his self-limiting beliefs leading to a self-fulfilling prophesy.

So what’s a beat-up middle school mom to do to help her son avoid falling off the academic cliff? Tune in next time.

Catholic Women’s Guide to Healthy Relationships Tip: Learn how to detach enough to observe our loved ones so we can be as helpful as possible.