#17: Is My Kid a Jerk? Handling Middle School Behavior & Big Emotions

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Middle schoolers can test every parenting instinct, especially when their behavior at school doesn’t match the values you’ve worked so hard to teach them. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa respond to a listener’s concern about her 13-year-old son—who is smart, confident, and well-liked, but has been acting out and getting in trouble at school.

They dive into why middle schoolers struggle with impulse control, how brain development impacts decision-making, and why peer approval often overrides parental expectations. Sam and Melissa also discuss the "You Screwed Up" conversation framework, how to approach discipline with curiosity instead of shame, and why a single bad report doesn’t mean you’re raising a toxic kid.

If you’ve ever worried about your child's behavior or found yourself over-apologizing to teachers, this episode is for you.

You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?  

Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.  

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Sam: Teen Savvy Coaching

• Join The Teen Savvy Parent Hub
• Sam's free video guide: How to Have a "You Screwed Up" Conversation with your Child or Teen
• Sam's free e-book: Beyond Nagging: Empowering Parents to Transform Teen Homework Headaches

Dr. Melissa: Annapolis Psychiatry

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