I have been doing a little bit of self-reflecting recently and I have realized that since I've been away at college I have neglected my duty as a big sister. My little sister, Emily, is currently in the seventh grade (13 years old), meandering her way through the painful middle school years. In middle school, the innocent days are fleeting. Your body is changing. Your hormones are raging. Some days, Mom and Dad seem like the worst humans on earth. That boy that sits across from you in History is all you can think about on the ride home from school. Everyone who has gone through middle school knows it can be an emotional roller coaster ride. As the oldest child, I desperately wished I had an older sister to look up to. I wanted to know what would be a good outfit for the first day of school? Or how do I text back a cute boy? And how do I apply mascara and eyeliner without looking Goth? While I have been away at college, I know I haven't kept up good enough contact with my little sister. And so, for the precious time I have lost I would sum up my advice to her into these five tips.
1. Don't pay attention to the media.
he media will try to tell you are not good enough or that you have to look a certain way. That is absolutely not true. Do not believe it for a second. You are beautifully and wonderfully made and that's all that truly matters.
2. Popularity is not all that.
Remember that a having a kind heart is way more important than publicly humiliating the loner at the lunch table. No one remembers the cool kids in middle school. And if they do, would you want to be remembered as the girl who peaked in middle school? I think life has much more in store than that.
3. Listen to Mom and Dad.
I know sometimes Mom and Dad will feel like they are ruining your life. They won't let you go to a party because you still have a C in Pre-Algebra. Or they will tell you to take off that new cropped top you just bought at the mall. Remind yourself they are doing this out of love. Your childhood days are fleeting and your parents are just trying to grasp onto your innocence for as long as they can.
4. Do what you love.
Practice the flute, join the yearbook staff, play basketball. Find something you love and put your whole heart into it. You may join something and not like it. That is ok. Keep trying. You will find something that interests you. Finding something you are passionate about in middle school will help a create smooth transition into high school extra circular activities.
5. Take lots of pictures and videos.
I took so so so many pictures during my middle school years and I am so thankful for every goofy soft smiling selfie. I promise, it is so fun to see the crazy poses and fun loving music videos ten years down the road. They will definetly provide lots of laughs.
The list of advice could go on forever. As for the time I have lost with my sister, I am going to make it a goal of mine to text and or call her more often. I challenge you, if you have a younger sibling, to do the same. Your call or text may brighten their day just to know that someone is thinking about them.
