Parent support Circle Podcast

Your child just asked for a phone, and “we’ll see” isn’t an answer. This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ explain why “what age is right?” is the wrong question, and share the two questions that help more: what problem the phone would actually solve, and whether your particular kid is ready. They cover readiness signals, a staircase approach instead of smartphone-or-nothing, and how to...

Ever been hit with an eye roll, backtalk, or the dreaded “Whatever!”? Curtis and RJ share laughs, practical parenting strategies, and real-life scenarios to help you handle disrespect without turning every disagreement into a battle. What's harder for you: staying calm when your child talks back, or getting them to open up when something is wrong? Tell us below! Get your Free parent reset workbook...

Lost your temper over something small and felt sick about it all day? This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ break “how to be a calmer parent” into three trainable skills: lowering your baseline, catching the surge in the first two seconds, and repairing quickly when you miss. They explain why “just stay calm” fails and replay a bad morning three ways. RJ shares why the comeback matters...

Is there really a correct number of hours for screen time? This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ break down why ‘how much is too much’ is the wrong question to spend your energy on — and share the questions that actually predict how screen time affects a kid: what it's displacing (especially sleep), what kind of content is filling those hours, and how a kid transitions out of it. RJ sh...

Tried to start a big family tradition and watched it fizzle by month two? This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ dig into why elaborate, planned family traditions die so quickly, why the ones that last form by accident out of something low-effort and ordinary, and how to notice and reinforce the small rituals already happening in your house. RJ shares how one stoplight joke outlasted ev...

How do I build confidence? Here's the truth: you probably don't need another motivational quote telling you to "believe in yourself." Confidence is built through action. You take one small step. You learn. You make a mistake. You try again. Eventually, you have evidence that you can handle more than you thought. And as parents, this matters even more. We don't just need confidence ourselves—we're...

Your kid probably heard you. That’s the uncomfortable part. This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ dig into why "not listening" is almost always a heard-but-not-acted-on problem, why repeating a request accidentally teaches kids to wait for the fifth ask, and the specific structural fixes — proximity, a first ask that actually counts, reducing total request volume — that work faster tha...

"We’re too busy" is real — and also not the actual obstacle. This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ dig into how to get your family back to the table more nights than not: lowering the bar on what counts as family dinner, the schedule tricks that actually buy back real time, quick meal ideas for chaotic nights, and why the conversation at the table matters more than the meal itself. RJ...

Is it normal worry, or something more? This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ dig into how to tell ordinary childhood worry from anxiety that needs real support, why constant reassurance can quietly backfire, and the gentle, practical tools that help a child move through anxious moments instead of around them. RJ opens up about the hard lesson he learned with his own daughter: his job w...

Your kids don’t learn healthy technology habits from a lecture — they learn it from watching you. This week on Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ dig into modeling healthy technology habits at home: the phone-basket ritual, the overnight charging spot, and the pause-before-you-tap habit that make invisible self-control visible to kids. RJ also shares the double standard he ran for years with his...

Screen addiction isn’t a willpower problem — it’s engineering. This week, Curtis and RJ dig into what’s actually happening in a kid’s brain that makes screens so hard to put down, why confiscating the device usually backfires, and the collaborative, gradual strategies that actually stick. RJ opens up about how he and his daughter Amanda worked through her phone use during the hardest stretch of he...

Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of our children's everyday lives—but is it making them smarter, or creating new challenges for parents? In this episode of the Parent Support Circle Podcast , host Curtis Leong explores the benefits and risks of AI for children and shares practical strategies every parent can use to help their kids navigate technology with confidence. You'll discover how AI...

If you've ever asked yourself "why do I yell at my kids," this episode is for you. Curtis and RJ dig into the real mechanics behind losing your temper, share three practical, doable tools for calm parenting, and talk honestly about how to control your temper with children when you're already running on empty. They also cover the repair side — how to apologize to your child after yelling without tu...

How can parents tell the difference between normal childhood mood swings and the signs of depression? In this episode, Curtis and RJ take an honest, compassionate look at one of the most important topics facing families today—recognizing depression in children and teenagers. They discuss the emotional, behavioral, and physical signs parents should watch for, including irritability, social withdraw...

If dinner conversation with your tween or teen sounds like a hostage negotiation, you're not alone. In this episode, Curtis tackles one of the most common questions from the Parent Support Circle community: how to get my child to open up — without turning every conversation into an interrogation. You'll learn: Why kids naturally pull away during the tween and teen years (and why it's not personal)...

How do you actually know if you're raising a resilient kid? In this episode of The Parent Support Circle, Curtis and RJ dig into one of the questions parents quietly worry about most — and the answer isn't what most of us think. Curtis opens with a real moment from his own house: his eleven-year-old daughter London auditions for the lead in her school play, doesn't get it, and comes home devastate...

Your teen just said "You don't understand me" and slammed the door. Before you say anything back — watch this. In this episode, Curtis and RJ break down what teenagers actually mean when they say "you don't understand me," why your first instinct (defending yourself) makes it worse, and the exact phrase that de-escalates the moment instead of starting a fight. RJ shares a real story about his son...

Many teens struggle with procrastination, distractions, and ineffective study habits that can impact their confidence and academic performance. In this episode and companion article, Parent Support Circle explores practical strategies parents can use to help their teens build better study routines, improve focus, stay organized, and develop lifelong learning skills. Discover simple techniques that...

As parents, one of the hardest questions we face is this: How much privacy should an 11–15-year-old have? Should you check their phone? Knock before entering their room? Give them more freedom? Or keep a closer eye on everything they do? In this episode/article, we're exploring how to balance trust and safety during the tween and teen years. You'll discover practical ways to respect your child's g...

Having an open and honest conversation with your kids about puberty is a crucial part of modern parenting, but it can often feel weird and uncomfortable for both parents and children. In this video, we explore the real reason why puberty conversations can be so awkward, and provide valuable parenting tips and advice on how to approach this sensitive topic with love, care, and understanding. As par...

In this episode of our parenting podcast, we're taking a parenting reality check to examine the habits we're modeling for our kids. As parents, we often focus on giving our children the best possible start in life, but it's equally important to consider the impact of our own behavior on their development. By prioritizing family first and adopting gentle parenting techniques, we can create a positi...

How much freedom is too much — and when does structure become a cage? In this episode, Curtis and RJ dig into one of the most common parenting challenges: figuring out when to hold firm and when to let go as your tween or teen grows. RJ shares real stories about Josh and Amanda, Curtis breaks down the Structured Freedom framework, and you'll walk away with one concrete action to take this week. If...

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...

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 ch...

Tween discipline, fair consequences, and how to stop the "that's so unfair" cycle — for good. Host Curtis and co-host RJ break down what makes a consequence actually work for kids ages 8–12, the real difference between punishment and learning, and how to match your response to the behavior without blowing up the relationship. RJ draws on real stories from raising his own kids to show what works —...