Q. Last year when my daughter Susie was in 6th grade she had good grades, lots of friends, and was interested in lots of extra-curricular activities. She seems like a different person since she started Middle School. Is it possible there is a problem at school she's not telling me about?

A. The move from elementary school is not an easy one. Many youngsters find the change stressful. Not all of Susie's friends may be with her at the new school, or if they are, they may be in a different track so she doesn't see them. Middle schools are typically much larger, which can be difficult for some pre-teens. Also, as a 6th grader she and her classmates were looked up to by the younger children, now as a 7th grader they no longer have that important status. These are just a few of the differences that impact a child's behavior at this time.