Shows / Some Assembly Required
Some Assembly Required
Some Assembly Required: Because kids don't come with an instruction manual, is a podcast for real parents raising real kids. Hosted by two staff members at Wesleyan School, an independent K-12 school in the metro Atlanta area, the goal of this podcast is to provide practical things to consider when raising school-aged children. Guests will typically be one faculty member from Wesleyan paired with another expert on the topic we are discussing. Our hope is that anyone who loves school-aged…
Episodes
- Some Assembly Required
Checking Grades Without Coming Unglued
Grade portals, real-time notifications, missing assignments, surprise zeros... today's parents have more insight into their children's academic lives than ever…
- Some Assembly Required
One Year Later: The Lessons That Stayed With Us
It's our one-year anniversary! To celebrate, we're handing out some very prestigious (and completely unofficial) Paper Plate Awards. We're sharing the…
- Some Assembly Required
S2E4: Strengths, Struggles, and Strategies for the ADHD Parent
Is adult ADHD a gift or growth opportunity for parents? Or both? In this episode, Chad McDaniel, chief development officer at Wesleyan School, and Josh Thames…
- Some Assembly Required
S2E3: Parenting Takes a Village
Sometimes the best parenting advice comes from a colleague in the hallway, over a cup of coffee, or during a quick conversation between classes. In this…
- Some Assembly Required
S2E2: Homework Without the Headaches: Coaching Your Child for Success
Homework can quickly become a nightly struggle when parents feel responsible for managing every assignment. In this episode, we explore strategies to support…
- Some Assembly Required
S2E1: Three Healthy Tensions: The balancing act of parenting
Parenting often feels like walking a tightrope between competing priorities. As parents, we want to provide comfort and security for our children, yet we know…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E22: Summertime Rewind! Getting Everyone Out the Door Without Losing Your Mind
The school year is on the horizon, so we are closing out July with our last summertime rewind for 2026: a discussion on not losing your mind in the mornings!…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E21: Summertime Rewind! 4 Questions to Ask Before Your Child Has a Smartphone
Chances are, if you have school-aged children in your house this summer, you may find yourself asking questions about managing devices and screentime. For many…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E20: Summertime Rewind! Self-Awareness and Your Parenting Superpower
This July, we are doing a summertime rewind to some of our favorite recent episodes that also feel timely when you're spending a lot of family time over the…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E19: Fathering Kids Who Love You In the Long Run
Being a dad is a joy, calling, and responsibility, and it's a role that often requires keeping a long run perspective. In this special Father’s Day episode, we…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E18: Prioritizing Connection at the Family Table
Between practices, homework, and packed schedules, family meals can feel impossible to prioritize. In this episode, we explore why gathering matters more than…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E17: Letting Go with Love: Launching Your Senior with Connection and Confidence
Independence was always the goal but letting go isn’t easy. Graduation marks a major transition, and not just for seniors. It is a major milestone for parents…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E16: "Help I'm Ruining My Kids" - Our chat with author Abbey Wedgeworth
This Mother’s Day, we’re offering a gift to every mom who has ever wondered, “Am I doing this all wrong?” In this special episode, we sit down with author…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E15: Plan, Prepare, & Pray: Tips for School Transitions
Whether your child is starting at a brand new school or moving into a new building at their current school, making a school change is a big transition for both…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E14: Raising Resilient Hearts: How Books Help Kids Understand Their Feelings
How do stories help children better understand their own emotions? In this episode, we’re joined by children's author Trudy Ludwig, and Dr. Nancy Jones, lower…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E13: Self-Awareness and Your Parenting Superpower
In this episode, Melissa Thorson, enneagram coach, mom of three, and Wesleyan's executive assistant to the head of school, shares how greater self-awareness…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E12: Maximize Your College Visit: Insider Tips from Admissions Pros
In this episode, two seasoned college admissions officers share insider advice on how families can make the most of campus visits. They break down what to look…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E11: Faith Foundations: Cultivating a Servant's Heart in Your Child
As Christians, serving others isn’t just an act of kindness—it’s a reflection of Christ’s love and a response to His call to love our neighbors as ourselves…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E10: Teaching Your Kids to Manage Money
Financial literacy starts earlier than parents might think. In this episode, Wesleyan’s former CFO Billy Coxhead and Smith and Howard CEO Sean Taylor join us…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E9: Having Hard Conversations with Your Kids
We all know that life can bring unexpected and challenging circumstances to navigate as a family. For some families, those challenges may be life altering: the…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E8: Small Steps to Big Independence
Most parents hope- or even expect- that their children grow into thriving, independent, young adults. But independence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E7: You Won't Believe What Happened Today
If you're heading into the end of Christmas break relating to the classic Christmas song lyric, "...and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E6: Christmas Requires Flexibility
For some adults, the holiday season brings full calendars, long shopping lists, and intense pressure to maintain every magical tradition. In this episode, we…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E5: Mind, Body, and Spirit of Multi-Sport Participation
Whether your child dreams of being the next Michael Jordan or just loves the game-day snacks, parenting an athlete comes with its fair share of questions…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E4: Faith Foundations: Praying with your children
In this episode, we explore how parents can deepen their family's spiritual life by praying the scriptures with their children—an approach inspired by Dr. Don…
- Some Assembly Required
S1E3: 4 Questions to Consider Before Your Child Has a Smartphone
If your child is starting to ask for a phone—and you’re not sure you’re ready—this episode is for you. Whether you’re standing on the edge of those…
Some Assembly RequiredS1E2: Getting Everyone Out the Door Without Losing Your Mind
Mornings can feel like a high-stakes juggling act—packing lunches, finding shoes, signing permission slips, and somehow getting everyone out the door on time…
Some Assembly RequiredS1E1: Parenting is a Marathon with Chris Cleveland
In this episode, we explore the long game of parenting—how raising children is less about sprinting through milestones and more about pacing ourselves for the…