Oh boy, an unexpected way to start the work week. My daughter had a melt down about going into 8th grade in a week.
I sat her down and had a long and totally honest talk about what she is feeling while punctuating it with my own stories of what it was like to be a teenage boy in 8th grade. I also gently led her past the 8th grade into the future where thing will be quite different.
She was crying a bit, but listening intently. After we were done she hugged me harder than I ever remember and thanked me for being so open and honest. The smile on her face as she went to bed told me all I needed to know...I got through.