If you're listening to this on Monday in Huntsville ALabama, your child probably starts school in just a few days.

Some of you are excited. Some of you are nervous.

And if your child is heading into middle school for the very first time, you might be wondering, "Have I forgotten something?"

Today I want to give you 10 simple things you can do this week that will set your child up for a great school year.

None of these cost any money.

None of them require a special app.But every one of them can make a difference.

Visit our website to learn more about our mentoring program and see if it could be the right fit for your child. https://fitandpositive.com/rpm

What if the biggest lie your middle schooler believes is that who they are today is who they'll always be?

In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe Martin shares why one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is the belief that they are still becoming.

Learn how to replace limiting labels with hope, use the power of the word "yet," and help your child see their potential instead of their current struggles.

Challenge of the Week: Catch your child growing. Point out one way they've improved and remind them they're not who they're going to be. Sometimes a parent's words become a child's future.

Just hear me out on this one! Screens are a concern, but it's more about what they replace. Here are 5 things we need to make sure screens never replace and how we can do that.

What life skills matter more than straight A's? In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe Martin shares 10 essential life skills every middle schooler should learn before high school—from introducing themselves and managing money to doing laundry, resolving conflict, and asking for help. These practical lessons will help your child become more confident, capable, and prepared for life beyond the classroom.

Middle school can be an emotional and confusing time for girls, and parents often aren't sure how to help. In this episode, I share five things every middle school girl wishes her parents knew, along with practical ways to strengthen your relationship, build her confidence, and help her navigate these important years. Would love your feedback on what I got right and what I left out!

Middle school boys don't always have the words to tell you what they need, but they're communicating more than you think. In this episode, I share five things nearly every middle school boy wishes his parents understood, from the importance of respect and independence to encouragement, connection, and believing in who they're becoming. Practical, encouraging advice for parents who want to strengthen their relationship during one of the most important stages of their son's life.

Middle schoolers don't stop talking because they don't love you anymore. They stop talking because they're changing.

In this episode, I talk about why asking more questions often leads to shorter answers, and what to do instead. Through a simple story about shooting basketball with a teenager, you'll discover how shared experiences create the conversations parents are looking for.

You'll learn:
• Why "How was your day?" rarely works
• The power of side-by-side activities
• How to turn "I don't know" into real conversation
• Why your child's growing independence isn't rejection
• Simple ways to reconnect without pressure

If your once-chatty child has become a one-word-answer machine, this episode will give you practical strategies to strengthen your connection and create opportunities for meaningful conversations.

Your child isn't shutting you out. They're growing up. Here's how to stay connected along the way.

Failure is not something to fear, it's one of the greatest teachers your child will ever have. In this episode, I share a powerful story from coaching middle school football and explains why resilient kids aren't the ones who avoid failure, they're the ones who learn how to bounce back from it.

Discover practical ways to help your child build confidence, perseverance, and the ability to handle life's setbacks without mom and dad rushing in to rescue them every time.