There’s a look kids get when something has gone sideways at school.Not dramatic.Just… different.You can feel it before they say anything.Sometimes they don’t say anything at all.Lately, I’ve been sitting with how quickly school can shift from “fine” to overwhelming, how one moment can tip everything, especially in those middle school years when bodies, brains, and expectations are all changing at once.If you’re a parent, you might recognize that tight feeling in your chest when your child says they don’t want to go back.If you’re an educator, you might recognize the moment when a situation escalates faster than you expected, and you’re left wondering what just happened.Neither of you imagined it.And neither of you is alone in it.This week’s podcast episode lives right in that in-between space.The space where intentions collide with nervous systems.Where labels get misunderstood.Where kids are trying to survive the day, and adults are trying to do right by them, sometimes without enough time, language, or support.I didn’t record this one to give answers.I recorded it to slow us down long enough to notice what matters.If this feels close to home, I think you’ll understand why.Join me on this podcast to continue the conversation.With care,Karen

Autism & Education: When School Stops Feeling Safe

There’s a certain look some kids get at this age.Shoulders a little tighter.Eyes scanning before they enter a room.You notice it at the breakfast table.Or in the hallway between classes.Or during lunch duty, when a joke lands and no one laughs, but it still lingers.It’s hard to name what’s happening in those moments.Harder to know what to do with the feeling it leaves behind.And if you’re a parent or an educator, sometimes both, you might find yourself wondering if you’re overreacting.Or if you’re the only one seeing it.You’re not.This week’s podcast episode sits with that uneasy in-between space.The space where words said casually can carry more weight than anyone intended.The space where a child starts to question themselves long before they ever say a word out loud.It’s not a how-to conversation.It’s not a list.It’s a pause.A noticing.A shared exhale for the adults who care deeply and are trying to get this right.If you’ve been carrying that quiet concern for a while now…this one’s for you.Listen here →I’m really glad you’re here.Karen

When comments start to stick

There’s a kind of shift that happens in schools, and at home, that’s hard to explain if you haven’t felt it yourself.Everything looks normal on the surface.The routine is the same.The plan hasn’t changed.And yet… something feels off.A student walks in quieter than usual.A child comes home holding something they can’t quite name.The room feels heavier, even though no one has said anything out loud.If you work with tweens.If you live with one.If you care for kids in that in-between space where emotions move faster than words…You’ve probably seen this.Not the full story.Just the moment where learning, connection, and safety seem to slip slightly out of alignment.This week’s podcast sits inside that space.Not to fix it.Not to analyze anyone.But to stay with the moment long enough to notice what’s really being asked of the adults in the room.It’s a conversation about what quietly competes with learning…and what it takes to respond with steadiness when emotions arrive first.If this feels familiar, you’re not alone.And you’re not imagining it.If this resonates, I invite you to listen.

When a Rumor Walks Into the Classroom

After a school break, many tweens and teens return to the classroom:Looking unmotivated, disconnected, or shut down. Homework goes missing. Work feels overwhelming. Some students freeze, avoid tasks, or ask to leave the room altogether.In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, Karen helps parents and educators understand what’s really happening beneath these behaviors, and why they’re not signs of laziness or defiance.Drawing on her background as a school counselor, Karen explains how breaks can disrupt routines, confidence, and academic stamina, making learning feel hard again.You’ll learn how to decode common post-break behaviors, re-establish classroom routines with compassion, and support students as they rebuild focus and engagement.Karen shares practical, trauma-informed strategies for easing students back into learning, strengthening home-school partnerships, and recognizing effort in ways that restore confidence and connection.This conversation is a reminder that when adults respond with understanding instead of pressure, students feel safer, and learning can begin again.

When Learning Feels Hard Again

Returning to school after a break can feel unexpectedly emotional for middle schoolers and the adults who support them. In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, Karen explores why the transition back to routine is often bittersweet for tweens and teens.Karen breaks down what’s really happening beneath irritability, overwhelm, and big reactions to small problems, explaining how freedom, structure, and a developing nervous system collide at the start of a new school period. She offers trauma-informed insight into why these behaviors make sense developmentally and how adults can respond with empathy without lowering expectations.Parents and educators will walk away with practical, compassionate strategies to help middle schoolers regulate stress, feel emotionally safe, and rebuild routines at a healthy pace. This episode is a reassuring reminder that with connection, validation, and consistency, families and classrooms can move through transitions and bounce back stronger together.

The Bittersweet Back-to-School Transition

Family gatherings are meant to bring people together, but for many tweens and teens, they can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and emotionally draining.In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, Karen helps parents and educators understand why family visits can be so hard on developing nervous systems, especially for middle schoolers who value authenticity and emotional safety. What looks like irritability, withdrawal, or “attitude” is often a sign of social overload, not disrespect.Karen breaks down what’s really happening beneath the behavior, explains the emotional messages tweens and teens are trying to communicate, and shares 7 practical, compassionate strategies adults can use to prepare children before family gatherings and support them afterward.This episode offers trauma-informed insight, realistic expectations, and simple tools to help families reduce stress, honor boundaries, and create more positive experiences, without forcing kids to perform or comply.If you’ve ever wondered why your child seems “done” before the visit even ends, this conversation will help you see their behavior through a more empathetic, empowering lens.

Supporting Tweens and Teens Through Stressful Family Visits

When middle schoolers are home during long breaks, boredom can quietly turn into emotional overwhelm or risky behavior. In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport. Former school counselor Karen Brisport explains why boredom is not harmless for tweens and teens and what it’s really communicating beneath the surface.You’ll learn how boredom can lead to meltdowns, withdrawal, or thrill-seeking behaviors, and why these responses are often about a child’s need for control, connection, and purpose. Karen breaks down how parents and educators can interpret these behaviors with compassion instead of fear.This episode also shares six practical, developmentally appropriate ways to help middle schoolers stay engaged during the holidays, while building emotional regulation, confidence, and family connection. You’ll walk away with simple strategies that create structure without pressure and support kids as they learn to manage big feelings and growing independence.If you support tweens or teens, this episode will help you better understand their behavior and guide them toward safe, meaningful ways to thrive at home.

Helping Middle Schoolers With Holiday Boredom

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. 

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