Middle schoolers don't stop talking because they don't love you anymore. They stop talking because they're changing.

In this episode, I talk about why asking more questions often leads to shorter answers, and what to do instead. Through a simple story about shooting basketball with a teenager, you'll discover how shared experiences create the conversations parents are looking for.

You'll learn:
• Why "How was your day?" rarely works
• The power of side-by-side activities
• How to turn "I don't know" into real conversation
• Why your child's growing independence isn't rejection
• Simple ways to reconnect without pressure

If your once-chatty child has become a one-word-answer machine, this episode will give you practical strategies to strengthen your connection and create opportunities for meaningful conversations.

Your child isn't shutting you out. They're growing up. Here's how to stay connected along the way.

Failure is not something to fear, it's one of the greatest teachers your child will ever have. In this episode, I share a powerful story from coaching middle school football and explains why resilient kids aren't the ones who avoid failure, they're the ones who learn how to bounce back from it.

Discover practical ways to help your child build confidence, perseverance, and the ability to handle life's setbacks without mom and dad rushing in to rescue them every time.

Welcome to the first episode of Parenting The Middle School Years! Youth sports are getting pretty wild these days. So I want to share one of the most important lessons that I had to learn the hard way. And I want to pass on the 5 Magic Words every sports parent needs to know.