Bouncing Back

Middle schoolers can feel like a mystery, bored one minute, restless the next, quiet today, overflowing tomorrow. But their behavior is never random. In this episode, Karen Brisport breaks down the real reasons tweens and teens act the way they do in the classroom and at home and how adults can decode those signals with clarity and confidence.

You’ll learn why behaviors like constant pencil-sharpening, chatting across the room, or s...

When a child says, “I’m not good at anything,” it’s not a complaint, it’s a call for connection.

In this heartfelt episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport breaks down how to turn moments of self-doubt into opportunities for growth, confidence, and trust.

You’ll learn five powerful steps to help kids manage frustration, reframe failure, and recognize their worth, without pressure or perfection.

This episode will help you:

This episode explores how screen time can quietly become the dominant influence in a child’s emotional, social, and academic world, often before adults realize it. We discuss the subtle signs that a child may be retreating into digital spaces, including shifts in attention, mood, and communication. Listeners will learn how to reset healthy boundaries without conflict by using connection-first conversations, intentional device-free ...

When a child says, “I don’t want to go to school anymore,” it’s not just defiance, it’s a signal.

In this powerful and compassionate episode, we uncover the real reasons why many middle schoolers stop caring about school, from hidden struggles like bullying and learning challenges to deep empathy for parents under stress.

Drawing from real-world insight and emotional intelligence, this episode gives parents and educators four practi...

Middle school can feel like a whirlwind, for both kids and the adults who love them. In this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport breaks down how parents and teachers can help students handle the academic, emotional, and social demands of middle school without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ll discover four practical strategies that build confidence, strengthen communication, and bring calm to the chaos, so your tween or teen f...

Peer pressure isn’t just about popularity—it’s about survival. In this heartfelt episode, Karen Brisport unpacks the emotional reality of what middle schoolers face and why belonging feels like oxygen.

You’ll learn how to help your child (or student) build an inner sense of value that no crowd can shake. Karen shares five simple, powerful strategies that any parent or teacher can start using today, ways to nurture confidence, celebr...

In this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport explores why children often stay silent when bullied and how parents and educators can recognize the hidden warning signs. From sudden resistance to school, avoiding the bus, and missing lunches to sleep problems, classroom withdrawal, and requests for change, Karen highlights key red flags that often go unnoticed. She emphasizes the importance of close observation, empathetic...

When tweens and teens shut down, parents and educators are often left feeling helpless and disconnected. In this episode, school counselor Karen Brisport shares three proven strategies to reopen communication with young people: creating space for natural conversations, validating feelings (even when they seem small), and focusing on strengths over mistakes. These simple but powerful tools help adults build trust, reduce tension, an...

Homework is one of the top stressors for middle schoolers, often leading to frustration, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches.

In this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport explores why homework can feel overwhelming for kids and offers three practical strategies to make it manageable:

1. Create a distraction-free homework environment that promotes focus.

2. Partner with teachers to i...

Middle school is one of the most socially complicated times in a child’s life, identities are being formed, friendships are shifting, and kids are trying to carve out their place. Hi, I’m Karen Brisport, a former school counselor, and in this episode, I’ll share four practical strategies to help children not just ‘fit in,’ but genuinely thrive. 

 You’ll find out why making early connections is essential for establishing lasting frie...

The first day of middle school can be quite a lot to handle, many kids feel nervous about being accepted, dealing with bullying, and even the chance of getting lost. I’m Karen Brisport, a former school counselor, and in my weekly podcast, I offer strategies to help parents and educators support their children through these hurdles. This week, I’ll share three simple tips: making connections with classmates early or going to open ho...