--- title: Worthington Christian School Parent Blog | Elisha McNeal description: Elisha is the Director of Community Engagement and Training at Gracehaven, a ministry of Central Ohio Youth for Christ that seeks to end child sex trafficking in Ohio. --- - [VISIT WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL WEBSITE](https://www.worthingtonchristian.com/) - [![WC Logo](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Backgrounds.png) ![WC Logo](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Dark%20Backgrounds.png) ![WC Logo](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Backgrounds.png)](https://www.worthingtonchristian.com/) [![DOWNLOAD VIEWBOOK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5627441/c9015685-d41c-4099-a319-5e3b3dacf482.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5627441/c9015685-d41c-4099-a319-5e3b3dacf482) - [Ages 3-K Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k) - [Grades 1-5 Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades1-5) - [Grades 6-8 Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8) - [Grades 9-12 Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12) ## Navigating Your Child's Education: Grades 6-8 ## Elisha McNeal ![](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Authors.png?width=35&name=Copy%20of%20Blog%20Authors.png) Elisha is the Director of Community Engagement and Training at Gracehaven, a ministry of Central Ohio Youth for Christ that seeks to end child sex trafficking in Ohio. Find me on: ## Recent Posts ###### 5 min read ## [Healthy Relationships in Middle School](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/healthy-relationships-in-middle-school) By [Elisha McNeal](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/author/elisha-mcneal) on Apr 21, 2022 8:00 PM [![](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(5).png)](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/healthy-relationships-in-middle-school) According to an article in [*Medical News Today*](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319119), there was a new study posted in the journal [*Child Development*](https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cdev.12905) that shows "teenagers with close friendships tend to be more adaptive to stress, report being happier due to an increased feeling of uniqueness, and are likely to do better academically. Additionally, they have high self-esteem and are more assertive." This probably isn't earth-shattering news to you, because I'm sure adults could say, "SAME." Human beings have a better quality of life, feel more hopeful, connected and a sense of purpose when they are in healthy relationships--romantic, family, friends, etc. Over the last five years, I've had the honor to work with youth who have been victims of human trafficking, and a key to both helping to prevent victims and a key to healing is healthy relationships. It's such a significant part of our lives, and yet is also one of the most complicated and potentially hurtful parts of our lives as well. My hope is to talk a little bit about what healthy/unhealthy relationships have to do with human trafficking and how you, as a parent, can engage with your teen on this topic. Topics: [Middle School](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/topic/middle-school) [Parenting](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/topic/parenting) [Relationships](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/topic/relationships) [Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/healthy-relationships-in-middle-school) [All posts](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8/all) ### Featured ### SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE MORE HELPFUL ARTICLES FOR NAVIGATING YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION ![](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Dark%20Backgrounds.png) Worthington Christian School is Columbus, Ohio's leader in K-12 grade Christian education. - BLOG MENU - [Navigating Ages 3-K](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k) - [Navigating Grades 1-5](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades1-5) - [Navigating Grades 6-8](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8) - [Navigating Grades 9-12](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12) ###### Contact Us 614-431-8215 [info@worthingtonchristian.com](mailto:info@worthingtonchristian.com) 6675 Worthington-Galena Road Worthington, OH 43085 ###### Subscribe ©2020 Worthington Christian School, Inc. All rights reserved.