When a family goes through major changes for example divorce, remarriage, a new baby, or shifts in routines. Middle schoolers often feel the impact more deeply than they can express. In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, we explore how these transitions can create stress, confusion, and emotional withdrawal in tweens and teens.You’ll learn why children may retreat, act out, or seem “unbothered” even when big feelings are brewing beneath the surface, and what the adults in their lives can do to help them feel safe, supported, and understood.We walk through six practical, heart-centered strategies that parents and educators can use right away, including helping kids express their emotions, encouraging journaling, providing reassurance, strengthening connection, and creating predictable routines during uncertain times.This episode is a compassionate guide for anyone hoping to help a young person navigate family change with confidence, resilience, and emotional clarity.

Helping Middle Schoolers Navigate Big Family Changes

When a middle schooler snaps, “Don’t raise your voice at me,” it can feel disrespectful, frustrating, and emotionally charged. But underneath that pushback is usually a very different message: “I’m overwhelmed,” “Your tone is stressing me out,” or “I don’t feel heard.”In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, we break down what tweens and teens are really communicating when they use this phrase and why it’s less about volume and more about emotional safety. Karen helps parents and educators understand the developmental factors at play, how tone impacts kids’ sense of security, and why middle schoolers often express themselves defensively when they’re dysregulated.You’ll learn three practical strategies to shift the energy in the moment: taking care of your own emotional state, using a calm reset phrase that brings everyone back to center, and teaching respectful communication by modeling it and tying it to positive classroom or home outcomes.This episode is a grounded, compassionate reminder that connection, not control is the goal. And with a few simple adjustments, you can respond in a way that keeps the relationship strong, reduces power struggles, and encourages healthier emotional expression in the young people you care for.

Why Your Tone Matters More Than You Think to Middle Schoolers

The holidays are often filled with excitement, tradition, and anticipation, but for many middle schoolers, this season also brings hidden pressure, comparison, grief, and emotional overload. In this episode, Karen breaks down the silent stress students carry this time of year, why it often goes unnoticed by adults, and what behaviors, like distraction, withdrawal, or missing assignments, may actually be signaling.You’ll learn three simple, compassionate strategies parents and educators can use to help students feel grounded, emotionally safe, and supported throughout the holiday season. Because when we slow down, get curious, and truly listen, we give kids the space to breathe, and the chance to enjoy this time of year again.

What’s Really Behind Holiday Behavior Changes

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 sudden bursts of energy are actually messages about engagement, belonging, and unmet needs. Karen also shares four simple, practical strategies to help kids focus, feel seen, and reconnect with learning.This episode is a supportive, reassuring guide for any parent or educator who’s ever looked at a middle schooler and thought, “What is going on?” You’ll walk away understanding them better and equipped to help them thrive.

The Secret Language of Middle Schoolers

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:Create safe, judgment-free spaces for honest conversations. Use constructive hope to replace negative self-talk. Connect everyday actions to lasting impact and purpose.Celebrate progress to build authentic self-esteem.Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor, this conversation reminds us that when we truly listen, our kids learn to believe in themselves again.💬 “You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up.”

When Your Child Says, “I’m Not Good at Anything”

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 routines, and modeling balanced screen habits. The goal isn’t to eliminate technology, but to help kids build identity and confidence in the real world, not just online. This episode provides actionable steps for parents and educators who want to strengthen relationships, restore calm, and support children in developing healthy digital habits.

The Digital Balance Check

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 practical ways to help kids rediscover their confidence, resilience, and motivation. Through open listening, validation, and mentorship, you’ll learn how to turn moments of resistance into opportunities for reconnection.It’s not about forcing a child back into routine, it’s about guiding them back to hope.Perfect for: parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone who wants to understand and empower middle school students in today’s complex world.

When Your Child Says ‘I Don’t Want to Go to School

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 feels supported, not stressed.Whether you’re a parent navigating nightly homework meltdowns or a teacher balancing classroom challenges, this episode reminds you that your patience, empathy, and teamwork make all the difference.Tune in and learn how to turn middle school pressure into partnership.

Building Bridges, Not Battles: Parenting Through Middle School

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, celebrate strengths, and remind kids that they matter.Whether you’re raising or teaching tweens, this episode will leave you reassured, inspired, and ready to help kids stand tall in a world that often tells them to shrink.🎯 Key Themes: Peer pressure • Parenting • Emotional growth • Building confidence • Middle school development

Helping Kids Stand Strong

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 listening, and creating safe spaces for children to share. With practical tips and thoughtful guidance, this episode empowers adults to step in early, provide protection, and restore children’s sense of safety and confidence.

Helping Children Find Their Voice Against Bullying

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, and strengthen relationships during some of the most challenging years of adolescence.

Breaking Through the Silence

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 identify deeper challenges, from learning difficulties to anxiety. 3. Leverage school resources such as peer study groups, homework clubs, and online tools.  The goal? To help middle schoolers not just get through homework, but thrive in both academics and life.

Homework Made Easier

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 friendships, how stepping into visible roles in the classroom builds confidence, why joining clubs helps kids discover belonging, and how sports encourage resilience and teamwork.  Whether you’re a parent or an educator, these insights will arm you with the tools to guide middle schoolers towards positive experiences and stronger peer relationships. 

Fitting In Fast 

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 houses to ease social anxieties, asking the right questions to spot signs of bullying, and reminding your child to stay with their class to avoid getting lost. Tune in for practical advice that will help your child start middle school confidently.

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