Tag Archives: teachers

131: Emails & Phone Calls from Teachers



How do you respond to phone calls and emails from teachers about your son’s misbehavior? Excerpts of actual emails I’ve received from my son’s teachers: On Tuesday, Sam was sitting in a chair with his legs on a stool, he was flipping it and turning the stool with his legs and feet. I made eye … Continue reading 131: Emails & Phone Calls from Teachers


126: Helping Teachers Understand Boys



A listener asked us, “How do you gently encourage/educate your boy’s teacher on what boys need and how to help them, rather than shame them, when they have gone into anger?” The short answer: It ain’t easy, but it’s so, so worth it! Many teachers know very little about the specific developmental trajectory and needs … Continue reading 126: Helping Teachers Understand Boys


124: How to Help Your Boys Have a Great School Year



It’s back to school time!  But despite the smiley faces pictured in many back-to-school ads, the start of a new academic year doesn’t exactly generate feelings of enthusiasm and excitement in many boys (or their parents). For many families, back-to-school time is synonymous with dread, fear and anxiety. In fact, the number of boys who … Continue reading 124: How to Help Your Boys Have a Great School Year


113: Lying, Risk, & How to Advocate for Boys (Listener Q&A, Part 2)



Welcome to Part 2 of our first Listener Q & A! This week, Jen & Janet tackle 3 more questions: “What strategies do you use to deal with a sudden increase in lying in pre-teen boys?” “What’s the best way to allow young boys to be adventurous/risky physically while maintaining a clear, safe boundary and … Continue reading 113: Lying, Risk, & How to Advocate for Boys (Listener Q&A, Part 2)


109: Gun Play and Boys



Is Gun Play Really Okay? A generation ago, gun play was an acceptable part of childhood. Parents gave their kids toy guns as gifts — yes, even Red Ryder BB guns! (and yes, that’s A Christmas Story reference) — and boys regularly played Cops and Robbers and War both at school and in the neighborhood. Today, … Continue reading 109: Gun Play and Boys


101: Homework and Boys



Few things cause boys (and their families) as much stress as HOMEWORK. In many cases, homework battles turn into outright power struggles — with no winners. In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss: Why boys struggle with homework The impact of homework on boys’ academic achievement What to do about “meaningless” homework How a “too … Continue reading 101: Homework and Boys