Unlocking School Success | for Parents with K-12 Kids

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “If they can’t do this now… what happens in middle school/high school/college?!”—take a breath. In this episode, I’m joined by Sean McCormick (former special ed educator and founder of Executive Function Specialists) for a grounded, hopeful conversation about how parents can support executive functioning without falling into fear, power struggles, or endles...

Your kid melts down, the school emails (again), and suddenly you can feel your whole body go into “mama bear” mode. In this episode, I’m joined by parent coach Allyn Miller (founder of Child Connection) for a down-to-earth conversation about what regulation actually means—and why it’s not the same thing as being calm all the time. We talk about how our nervous systems respond under stress (fight,...

For kids who have a hard time at school, summer camp can be much more than a fun way to spend the summer. It can be a place to build confidence, discover strengths, develop friendships, and experience success in ways that aren't tied to grades or academics. In this episode of Unlocking School Success, I talk with former special education teacher and Camp Director Chris Gibbons about why camp can b...

If parenting has ever made you think, “Wait… why didn’t anyone warn me it would be THIS hard?”, you’re in good company. In this episode, I sit down with parenting coach Wendy Snyder to talk about her new book, Fresh Start Your Family (releasing May 26), and what happens when “be stricter” advice totally backfires—especially with strong-willed kids. Wendy shares her family’s journey from power stru...

If you’ve ever stared at a report card thinking, “But…this is a good kid—what is happening?” you’re not alone. In this episode of Unlocking School Success, I sit down with educational counselor Dr. Linda Silbert (who specializes in struggling readers and runs a tutoring/test prep company) to talk about the newly updated second edition of her book, Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades. Dr. Linda breaks dow...

Ever leave a school meeting wondering if you’re “doing enough” for your kids… and also somehow feel like your “doing it wrong”? In this episode of Unlocking School Success, I’m joined by Brianna Cullen, a pediatric psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, to talk about what parents really need to know when understanding ADHD Medication & Mental Health Support at School. What you’ll learn:...

Parenting can feel like you’re doing everything “right” and still constantly butting heads. In this episode of Unlocking School Success, I chat with human behavior specialist and Teaching Our Youth founder Karen Wagnon, about using personality and temperament (including the DISC model) to understand what’s really driving kids’ behavior at home and at school. Karen explains that kids are born with...

Getting involved at your child’s school can feel intimidating-like you’re one “yes” away from a never-ending volunteer job. In this conversation with Christina Hidek (a “recovering attorney” and the voice behind PTO Answers), I break down what PTAs and PTOs actually are, why parent involvement matters so much, and how to start in a way that fits your life. We talk about the real benefits of showin...

When school challenges start to pile up, the stress doesn’t just affect kids—it hits parents too. In this conversation with Dr. Kate Lund we explore what resilient parenting really looks like, with simple, practical tools to manage your stress response, handle tough moments, and shift out of the constant stream of negative feedback so you can better support your child at school and at home. In thi...

Spring break can be both exciting and challenging when school routines pause and days fill up differently. This episode of Unlocking School Success, I'll be sharing five valuable tips for parents to help kids reset and make the most out of this break. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize signs of a "school hangover" and plan for recovery time The importance of observing your child’s nat...

EP and school meetings can be a lot for any parent. But when you’re neurodivergent yourself, navigating those conversations can come with extra layers. In this episode, Scotti talks with IEP advocate and therapist Dr. Destiny Huff about how neurodivergent parents experience school meetings, why these situations can be difficult, and what can make them easier to navigate. Full shownotes here. 🎒 Fo...

An ADHD diagnosis can bring valuable information — but also uncertainty about what to do next. In this episode, I share a real parent coaching story about a family learning how to turn that diagnosis into a thoughtful, practical plan at school and at home. I dig into 504 supports, how to approach conversations with your child about ADHD in a way that builds confidence, and how parent coaching can...

In this episode, I’m joined by occupational therapist Kelli Fetter, founder of Handwriting Solutions, to explore what handwriting challenges really mean —including dysgraphia and related learning differences. We talk about why frustration and avoidance are important clues, how handwriting difficulties can look different for every child, and how parents can shift from worry and blame to understandi...

Parenting a child with ADHD or executive function challenges can bring a lot of questions —especially when the usual strategies don’t seem to work. In this episode, I explore what it really means to slow down, get curious, and support the child in front of you rather than the one you expected. I’m joined by parent coach and ADHD expert Cindy Goldrich as we talk about how these challenges show up d...

In this episode, I talk about why going back to school after winter break can feel harder than expected , especially for kids who already find school challenging. We explore why this transition takes time, how pressure and fatigue often show up before kids feel regulated again, and what parents can do right now to better support the same kid they had in December . Instead of chasing “new year” out...

Why do kids fall apart after school—even when the day seemed to go fine? In this episode, Scotti talks with psychotherapist Matthew Fishleder about what’s really behind after-school meltdowns and how parents can respond with more calm and confidence . You’ll learn why transitions, hunger, and exhaustion hit so hard, plus simple, practical strategies to make the after-school hours feel more managea...

🎒 Follow Reframe Parenting for use-now tools and strategies for school success. 🌐 www.reframeparenting.com 🎧 Visit www.reframeparenting.com/blog to dive into blog posts & podcast episodes to discover more school success strategies and get tools designed with you and your child in mind. Submit a Listener Question for a Future Episode 💖 Instagram : instagram.com/@reframeparenting 🖇️ Threads...

Parent-teacher conferences may be short, but they can pack a powerful punch when you walk in with clarity and intention. In this episode of Unlocking School Success , I’m breaking down the simple framework I use to help parents get the most out of those quick meetings—without feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or unsure what to ask. You’ll learn the “three Ps” that make conferences more productive, how...

In this episode of Unlocking School Success, host Scotti Weintraub and special guest Lisa Smith, an occupational therapist and ADHD coach for parents, dive into the complexities of self-advocacy for kids in school. They break down why kids might hesitate to seek help and share practical, friendly strategies to boost their confidence and competence in the classroom. Discussing everything from under...

If school feels harder than it should — for your child and for you — you’re not alone. In this episode, Scotti shares the story behind the School Support That Sticks Summit , a resource she created for parents who are tired of trying to piece together help on their own. This four-day online event held October 27-30, 2025 brings together experts who truly understand kids who learn and think differe...

In this episode of Unlocking School Success , high school math educators and Project Think co-founders Charles Slusher and Joe Sneed share how project-based learning (PBL) transforms classrooms. We discuss their journey from traditional math instruction to creating innovative, hands-on learning experiences that build deeper student engagement, differentiation, and real-world problem-solving skills...

In this episode of Unlocking School Success , I’m sharing practical strategies (and a powerful mindset shift) to help make the transition less stressful and more connected. From resetting routines to building strong teacher relationships early on, these are the tools that can help your family start the school year with more calm and confidence. 🎒 Follow Reframe Parenting for use-now tools and str...

Back-to-school season can be exciting—but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re parenting a strong-willed or neurodivergent child. In this episode of Unlocking School Success , I talk with Dr. Gila Reckess, psychologist, parenting coach, and “brain nerd,” about how to ease the big emotions of big transitions for both you and your child. Whether your child is starting a new grade, movin...

In this episode of Unlocking School Success, We'll talk about a big question many parents face: should you bring your child to school meetings? We'll explore the benefits and challenges, how to decide based on your child's age and emotional readiness, and ways to involve them even if they don't attend. Join me for heartfelt advice and simple tips to help your child learn to advocate for themselve...

In this episode of Unlocking School Success, we dive into the often-misunderstood world of executive functioning with our first guest, a good friend of mine - executive functioning coach Carrie Bonett. We'll break down what executive function means, why these brain skills are crucial for getting important things done, and how they're not innate but learned. Carrie shares how these skills are impor...