The Middle School Parent Resource

Show #201 - "Highlights from your week, take stock and share”

Book giveaway today. Ken Robinson’s book, The Element, is yours. Watch the show to find out how you can get your hands on a copy. Landing Ken’s book would be a highlight on anyone’s list, and I’m hoping it is just one of many incredible moments that inspired your week. Today’s show challenges you to take stock of both the events and people that energized you during the past seven days. Enjoy the weekend ahead. I’m off to Sacramento for a Monday morning TV spot. If you are in the Sacramento area, tune your TV to channel 10 at 9am.

I would love to hear from you. Join the discussion by sending me your questions, comments, ideas and ramblings. The show improves and so does your child's journey through the middle school years, when you contribute.joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #190– “Does your middle schooler have potential?”

Although your high school physics teacher may have implied that a ball has the potential to move across the floor, the word “potential” doesn’t hold much meaning when it comes to describing a child’s ability to succeed. Unlike the ball that required your effort to spring to life a child cannot be pushed to reach her true potential unless she truly desires the destination (life, goal, pursuit). Parents do however, have the ability to create opportunities that may ignite the energy (potential) within their children.

I would love to hear from you. Join the discussion by sending me your questions, comments, ideas and ramblings. The show improves and so does your child's journey through the middle school years, when you contribute.joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #155– “WoofEmDownDogBiscuits.com one middle schooler’s quest to help homeless pets”

I love stories like this that highlight the incredible lives of middle schoolers today. Zack and his younger brother Thomas starting collecting pet food for homeless animals a few years back before starting woofemdowndogbiscuits.com. The connection between involvement, responsibility and growth toward independence couldn’t be any stronger. I was invited to be a parent education speaker at Zack’s middle school in a few weeks. Imagine my surprise and subsequent excitement when I put the two together.

Do you have a show idea or question you have wondered about? Send it to me either in an email or leave it in a comment here on the site. joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #147– “If I didn’t have to work I would...”

How often have you heard a friend share this statement with you? Maybe you have uttered the same statement when thinking about what you would really like to be doing. Today’s show is for anyone who has ever thought, “If I just had more time I would…” Enjoy the weekend ahead.

Do you have a show idea or question you have wondered about? Send it to me either in an email or leave it in a comment here on the site. joe@thinking-forward.com

Show #141– “Kings Firecrackers – Middle School Excellence at its Best”

Watching the Kings Firecrackers perform today reminded me of the passion that kids find and pursue during the middle school years. The team is comprised of girls in grades 4th – 8th and performs for crowds around the nation including guest appearances on the Letterman show, the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade and at the Presidential Inauguration. The group and their performance is a wonderful example of the three C’s in action. Each child’s confidence has grown as she takes on the continued challenge of delivering a stellar show. The connections between teammates must be amazing as well as the relationships these girls have developed with coaches, mentors and audiences around the nation.

Do you have a show idea or question you have wondered about? Send it to me either in an email or leave it in a comment here on the site. joe@thinking-forward.com