Is your tween or teen completely checked out of school? You’re not alone — and you’re not out of options.

In this episode of the Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ dig into the real reasons kids disengage from school (hint: it’s rarely laziness), and share six practical strategies for helping them find their motivation again.

From connecting school to your kid’s actual interests, to engineering small wins, to the no-stress check-in ritual that gets kids talking — this one is packed.

Plus: RJ tells us what it took to help Josh and Amanda reconnect with school, and Curtis admits he had this exact conversation with his own daughter this morning.

#ParentSupportCircle #SchoolMotivation #ParentingTweens #ParentingTeens #MomPodcast #DadPodcast #ParentingTips #TweenLife #TeenLife #GrowthMindset #KidsAndSchool #ParentingCommunity #RealParenting #PSCPodcast

Has your gut been telling you something’s off with your kid? You’re not overreacting — and you’re not alone.

In this episode, Curtis and RJ sit down for one of the most important conversations parents of tweens and teens need to have: when is it time to consider therapy or counseling for your child — and how do you actually make it happen?

RJ opens up about his own experience with his two adult children — Amanda’s quiet withdrawal that snuck up on him slowly, and Josh’s outward anger that he almost wrote off as ‘boys being boys.’ Two very different kids. Two very real wake-up calls.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The emotional and behavioral signs that signal your child may need more support

• Why therapy isn’t just for crisis situations — and the mindset shift that changes everything

• What to say (and what NOT to say) when your kid pushes back on going

• Life events that almost always benefit from professional support

• Practical steps to find the right therapist for your child

• When it’s a crisis — and what to do immediately

This episode is warm, honest, and yes — there’s a dad joke. Because parenting is hard, and you deserve to laugh a little too.

🚨 Crisis Resources Mentioned:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988

Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Find a therapist: psychologytoday.com | Join our community: parentsupportcircle.com

Chapter Markers / Timestamps

0:00 — Intro & cold open

2:00 — Why therapy isn’t just for crisis situations

5:00 — Emotional signs: Amanda’s story (the slow fade)

9:00 — Behavioral signs: Josh’s story (the loud struggle)

13:00 — What to do when your kid refuses to go

16:00 — When it’s a crisis: resources to call right now

18:00 — How to find the right therapist

19:30 — Key takeaways & close

In this thought-provoking discussion, Curtis Leong delves into the complexities of gratitude, privilege, and parenting, offering valuable insights and parenting hacks to help you navigate the challenges of raising a family.

As a parent, achieving financial freedom is often a top priority, and this conversation sheds light on how to cultivate a sense of gratitude and awareness of privilege in your children.

By joining a parent support circle, you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for effective parenting and gain access to a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Tune in to this parenting podcast for a refreshing perspective on dad life and the importance of parent support in shaping the next generation.

With its unique blend of humor, empathy, and expertise, this conversation is sure to resonate with parents from all walks of life, offering a fresh take on the journey to financial freedom and personal growth.

Get ready for a game-changer! The Parent Support Circle Podcast is LIVE, bringing you the ultimate boost for parents crushing it while chasing a brighter, more balanced future. Dads and moms, this is YOUR space for inspiration, encouragement, and empowerment as you conquer work, kids, and your dreams!

💡 This episode drops: Real talk on mastering work-life balance. Powerful strategies for financial freedom and reclaiming your time. Unfiltered stories from parents conquering modern life's hurdles. Jump into the conversation, drop your questions, and connect with a crew that truly *gets* it. Let's get smarter, dream bigger, and be the rockstars our families deserve!

👉 Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.leong.7

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardworkingdadclub/l

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@curtisleong

Let's forge a future we're proud of, without missing the precious moments!

🎙️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 https://www.parentsupportcircle.com

Smash that like, comment, and share button with every hardworking parent you know!

Does "That's SO unfair!" sound familiar? If you're parenting a tween, it probably does.

In this episode of Parent Support Circle, host Curtis sits down with co-host RJ — a dad who's been through the tween years twice with his now-adult kids Josh and Amanda — to unpack one of the most common parenting flashpoints: consequences.

What makes a consequence actually fair? What's the difference between punishing your kid and teaching them something? And when your tween pushes back and says you're being unfair... are they sometimes right?

We dig into all of it — natural consequences, logical consequences, why proportionality matters more than you think, and how to have the kind of conversations that keep your tween actually talking to you through the hard years.

You'll walk away with:✅ A clear way to tell the difference between punishment and real consequences✅ Real examples of fair consequences for common tween situations — school, curfew, lying, chores✅ How to respond when you overcorrect (yes, it happens — and it's okay)✅ Why giving your tween a voice in the rules makes them more likely to follow them✅ 3 things you can do THIS week to handle discipline with more connection and less conflict

Whether you're in the thick of the tween years or just trying to get ahead of them, this one's for you.

🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Join the Circle here

#ParentingTips #FamilyLife #RealParenting #ParentingAdvice #RaisingResponsibleKids #MiddleSchoolMom #PreteenParenting #ParentingCommunity #MomLife #DadLife

How do you teach your child responsibility without constant nagging, power struggles, or punishments that don’t stick?

In this episode, Curtis is joined by RJ—a father of two independent adult children, Armanda and Josh—who shares real-life parenting experiences and practical strategies that actually work. Together, they break down how to teach accountability to an 11-year-old using natural consequences, clear expectations, and calm, consistent guidance.

You’ll hear relatable parenting moments, honest conversations, and simple shifts that can transform the way your child responds to responsibility. From forgotten homework and messy rooms to attitude and pushback, this episode gives you tools you can start using immediately.

If you’re raising a pre-teen and want to build independence, confidence, and responsibility—without daily battles—this conversation will give you a clear path forward.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to teach accountability without punishment
• The difference between natural and logical consequences
• Real-life examples that actually stick with kids
• How to stop over-rescuing and start building independence
• Ways to handle attitude without escalating conflict
• What truly prepares your child for the teenage years

This is real parenting advice—practical, honest, and proven over time.

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Yeah… same.

In this episode of the Parent Support Circle Podcast, we break down why kids shut down in conversations—and more importantly, how to get them talking again without feeling like the annoying parent.

If you’ve ever felt like:

• Your child gives one-word answers
• Conversations feel forced or awkward
• You want to connect… but don’t know how

This episode is for you.

We dive into simple, real-life strategies you can start using today, including:

• Why “How was your day?” doesn’t work (and what to ask instead)
• How to shift from interrogation to connection
• The best times to talk so your kids actually open up
• How to respond without shutting them down
• The small changes that build trust over time

No complicated parenting theory.
Just real, practical ways to build better communication with your kids—even if they “never talk.”

🎁 FREE GUIDE:
Want help getting your kids to open up tonight?

Download: “Stop Getting ‘Fine’ — 25 Questions That Actually Start Real Conversations With Your Kid”

👥 Join the Community:
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Join other parents inside the Parent Support Circle:
👉 www.parentsupportcircle.com

Curtis and RJ dig into the most asked parenting question of all time: how do you teach your kids about money when you’re not exactly a financial role model yourself? RJ reflects on raising his now-adult kids — Josh (32) and Armanda (30) — sharing the real lessons that stuck and the mistakes that became the best teaching moments. Curtis brings his own money confessions, and together they break down the Three-Jar Method, allowance strategies, age-by-age tips, and why being honest might be the greatest financial gift you can give your child.

“Kids fill in the blanks with their imagination — and it’s usually worse than reality. Just name it.” — RJ #FamilyMoney #ParentingTips

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