About Parenting the Middle School Years with Joe Martin
Helping parents raise confident, resilient, and empathetic kids ages 10–14 through practical advice, real-life stories, and simple strategies that work in the real world.
Short, actionable episodes for busy parents of middle schoolers who need a little help.
Parenting should be a team sport!
So we will be talking about:
Friendship struggles
Bullying
Screen time
Negative body image
Motivation
Confidence
Resilience
... and all the challenges that come with raising a middle schooler
The middle school years can feel messy, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming.
But there is hope.
Your child isn't finished becoming who they're meant to be.
And neither are you.
Welcome to Parenting the Middle School Years.
Episode 18- Would Your Son Speak Up If He Saw Something Wrong?
What kind of young man are you raising?
A disturbing story involving current and former Cornell students got me thinking about a question every parent of a middle school boy should consider:
Would your son have the courage to speak up if his friends were doing something he knew was wrong?
As parents, we spend a lot of time teaching boys what not to do. Don't bully. Don't mistreat girls. Don't do drugs. Don't get into trouble.
But raising good young men requires another conversation.
What happens when your son isn't the one doing something wrong—but he's standing there watching it happen?
In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe Martin talks about raising boys with courage, character, confidence, and the willingness to stand up for others. Even when speaking up could cost them popularity or friendships.
You'll learn how to talk with your middle school son about peer pressure, bullying, group chats, disrespect toward girls, being a bystander, getting an adult involved, and knowing the difference between courage and unnecessarily putting himself in danger.
Because these lessons don't suddenly begin when our boys leave for college.
They're being practiced right now: in middle school hallways, locker rooms, sports teams, friend groups, and group chats.
One of the most important questions we can ask isn't simply:
“Would my son ever do something like that?”
It's:
“What would my son do if his FRIEND did something like that?”
If you're raising a middle school boy and want to help him become a good man who knows when to speak up, when to get help, and how to do the right thing when everyone around him is doing the wrong thing, this episode is for you.
They're not who they're going to be.
28 Sept 2026
Episode 17- When Your Kid Starts Talking to AI Instead of You
Kids aren't just using AI and ChatGPT for homework anymore. They're using it for advice, relationships, personal questions, and problems they may not feel comfortable discussing with their parents.
In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe Martin explores what parents need to know about middle schoolers and AI and how to keep technology from replacing real parent-child communication.
You'll learn why kids may turn to AI for advice, when AI use becomes concerning, how to set healthy technology boundaries, and practical ways to become the person your child feels comfortable talking to when something really matters.
AI isn't going away. The goal isn't to fear it, it's to help your middle schooler use it wisely while keeping real human connection at the center.
If you ever need help with your middle schooler, we do one on one mentoring at Relentless Positivity Mentoring (https://fitandpositive.com/rpm).
21 Sept 2026
Episode 16: The Cat in the Hat Trend Parent's Should Be Aware Of
A viral social media trend can turn into a real-world problem in seconds.
In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe Martin breaks down the viral “Cat in the Hat” trend and how AI-generated posts, group chats, and online jokes can cross the line into threats, school discipline, police investigations, and even criminal charges.
Joe gives parents practical tools to help middle schoolers think before they post, text, share, or follow the crowd, including his simple 10-second rule and one powerful question kids can ask before hitting send.
You’ll learn how to talk with your child about social media safety, peer pressure, online behavior, AI-generated content, and making better decisions when everyone else is joining in.
The goal isn’t to keep kids off social media. It’s to help them develop an internal voice that says:
“Hold up. Is this a good idea?”
A practical episode for parents raising middle schoolers in the age of TikTok, Snapchat, group chats, viral trends, and AI.
14 Sept 2026
Episode 15: When Your Child Has No Direction
What if your middle schooler isn’t lost, they just haven’t found their thing yet?
Joe Martin shares the story of a young man who once struggled with confidence, direction, and motivation. Years later, he’s healthy, strong, working, doing well in school, preparing for the ACT, and planning a future in health and fitness.
For parents of middle schoolers, it’s a reminder to keep planting seeds even when it seems like nothing is working.
In this episode, Joe talks about building confidence through small wins, helping kids find purpose through sports, fitness, music, art, work, service, or other interests, and why parents shouldn’t confuse the planting season with the harvest.
Keep showing up. Keep encouraging them. Keep planting seeds.
They’re not who they’re going to be.
Relentless Positivity Mentoring
https://fitandpositive.com/rpm (https://fitandpositive.com/rpm)
7 Sept 2026
Episode 14: The Kids Are Gonna Be All Right. My Mullet Is Proof.
It’s easy to look at something your middle schooler is struggling with today and start worrying about what it means for their future.
But your 12-, 13-, or 14-year-old is still becoming who they’re going to be.
In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe shares an unfortunate 8th-grade photo featuring a mullet and an Iron Maiden T-shirt and the much bigger lesson hiding behind it.
We talk about why middle school is supposed to be messy, why parents need to stop projecting today’s problems into their child’s future, and why we should correct bad decisions without turning them into labels.
Joe also shares a simple challenge that can help your middle schooler see that you were once an insecure, awkward kid trying to figure things out too.
Your child may not have confidence yet. They may make mistakes. They may care way too much about what their friends think.
That’s a snapshot. It’s not the whole story.
Keep parenting. Keep listening. Keep setting boundaries. And keep believing in the person they’re becoming.
They’re not who they’re going to be.
31 Aug 2026
Episode 13: When Scared Turns Into Angry
When anger takes over, there may be more happening underneath. In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe Martin explains how fear, embarrassment, rejection, overwhelm, and insecurity can sometimes show up as anger. And how parents can respond without ignoring bad behavior.
Learn why it helps to calm things down first, get curious later, and help your middle schooler identify what they’re really feeling.
24 Aug 2026
Episode 12: 5 Things To ask instead of asking "How was school?"
Tired of asking your middle schooler, “How was school?” only to hear “fine” or “nothing”?
In this episode of Parenting the Middle School Years, Joe shares 5 better questions that can actually get your child talking, why listening matters more than immediately giving advice, and a simple challenge to help you create better conversations with your middle schooler.
Relentless Positivity Mentoring
https://fitandpositive.com/rpm (https://fitandpositive.com/rpm)
17 Aug 2026
Episode 11: Your Child Still Needs You. Just Differently.
In this episode, Joe talks about why your middle schooler may start pulling away and why that doesn’t mean they need you any less. Learn how your role changes as they become more independent, why listening sometimes matters more than fixing, and simple ways to stay connected during these important years.
https://fitandpositive.com/rpm (https://fitandpositive.com/rpm)
10 Aug 2026
Episode 10: "I don't have any friends."
Hearing those words can break a parent's heart. In this episode, Joe shares practical ways to help your middle schooler build friendships, why making friends is harder in today's screen-filled world, and simple steps parents can take to build their child's confidence one conversation at a time.
Because every meaningful friendship starts somewhere.
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
3 Aug 2026
Episode 9: 10 Things Every Parent Should Do For Back To School Week
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 (https://fitandpositive.com/rpm)
27 Jul 2026
Episode 8-"You're Not Who You're Going To Be"
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.
20 Jul 2026
Episode 7: Screens Aren't The Problem
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.
13 Jul 2026
Episode 6: 10 Life Skills Every Middle Schooler Should Be Taught Before High School
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.
6 Jul 2026
Episode 5- 5 Things Every Middle School Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew
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!
29 Jun 2026
Episode 4- 5 Things Every Middle School Boy Wishes His Parents Knew
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.
22 Jun 2026
Episode 3-When Your Child Stops Talking To You
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.
15 Jun 2026
Episode 2: Raising Kids Who Can Handle Failure
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.
8 Jun 2026
Episode 1: 5 Words Every Sports Parents Should Know...And Every Kid Needs To Hear
Welcome to the first episode of Parenting The Middle School Years! Youth sports are getting pretty wild these days. So I want to share one of the most important lessons that I had to learn the hard way. And I want to pass on the 5 Magic Words every sports parent needs to know.
2 Jun 2026
Parenting The Middle School Years Trailer
Parenting the Middle School Years with Joe Martin helps parents of kids ages 10–14 navigate one of the most important (and challenging) stages of childhood.
Each week, you'll get short, practical episodes filled with real-life stories, actionable strategies, and encouragement to help your child build confidence, resilience, empathy, and strong character.
We'll tackle friendship struggles, bullying, screen time, motivation, self-esteem, peer pressure, negative body image, and all the other challenges that come with raising a middle schooler.
No parenting jargon. No guilt trips. Just practical help for busy parents.
Because parenting should be a team sport.
Your child isn't finished becoming who they're meant to be. And neither are you.
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