School shouldn’t be
THIS hard!

In this episode of Unlocking School Success, Scotti Weintraub shares the five back-to-school rules her family lives by, including keeping routines realistic, relying less on memory, giving kids space after school, and paying attention to what those first few weeks reveal.

In this episode of Unlocking School Success, Scotti Weintraub talks with school psychologist Dr. Emily King about her book, The Neurodivergent Learner, and why many neurodivergent kids struggle not because they can’t learn, but because they can’t learn under certain circumstances.

Executive functioning isn't just about staying organized—it's the foundation for planning, problem-solving, managing emotions, and getting things done. Learn the common mistakes parents make and the simple shifts that help kids build these essential life skills with Executive Function coach Sean McCormick.

What happens when your child melts down, pushes back, or reacts in a way that seems completely out of proportion to what's going on? In this episode, I sit down with parent coach Allyn Miller to talk about what regulation really means—and why it's not the same thing as staying calm. We explore how our own reactions affect our kids, how to approach school conversations without getting pulled into power struggles, and why curiosity, repair, and collaboration matter so much when things get hard.

If the school year has your kid feeling like they’re “always behind,” camp can be the rare place where they get to be brave, messy, and successful—all before breakfast.

In this episode, I sit down with former middle school special ed teacher and current Camp Nor’Wester director Chris Gibbons to talk about why camp can be a game-changer for kids who struggle in traditional classrooms.

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, and what happens when “be stricter” advice totally backfires—especially with strong-willed kids.

In this episode of Unlocking School Success, I’m joined by educational counselor Dr. Linda Silbert — a specialist in struggling readers and founder of a tutoring and test prep company — to discuss the updated second edition of her book Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades.

We explore why bright, capable kids can still struggle at school, what often gets missed beneath poor grades, and how parents can better understand and support children who are having a hard time academically.

When school challenges start affecting everyday life, families are often left wondering what support might actually help. In this conversation, Brianna Cullen shares how providers think about ADHD medication, mental health support, and the bigger picture of helping kids function more successfully at school and at home. We talk about stigma, side effects, family decision-making, and why medication is only one tool in a much larger support system.

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.

Getting involved in your child’s school doesn’t have to mean taking on more—it can actually give you insight, connection, and a stronger voice. In this episode, we talk about how PTA involvement helps you understand what’s happening behind the scenes, build relationships with teachers, and find small, manageable ways to show up in your child’s school community.

When school challenges keep coming, it’s easy for stress to take over, for both you and your child. In this episode, we explore what resilient parenting really looks like and how simple, practical strategies can help you stay grounded, shift out of the negativity loop, and support your child in a way that actually feels doable.

An ADHD diagnosis explains a lot, but it doesn’t give parents a roadmap. In this episode, Scotti Weintraub shares how coaching helped one family turn that moment into a focused plan, stronger school conversations, and renewed confidence in their role as advocates. This story highlights how the right support can help parents move from uncertainty to clear next steps at school and at home.

Handwriting challenges are often misunderstood as carelessness or lack of effort. In this episode, Scotti Weintraub talks with occupational therapist Kelly Fetter about dysgraphia, handwriting development, and why avoidance and frustration are key clues. Together, they explore how writing difficulties affect learning, when accommodations are essential, and how parents can advocate for support that actually helps at school.

Parenting a child with ADHD or executive function challenges often means rethinking what support really looks like. In this conversation, Scotti talks with parent coach and ADHD expert Cindy Goldrich about what it means to “parent the child you have,” why behavior is information—not defiance, and how understanding the why behind challenges can change everything. They share strategies to help parents move from frustration to connection with support that fits their child, both at home and at school.

January feels like it should be a fresh start—but for many kids, going back to school after winter break is anything but smooth. In this episode, I explore why the transition back to school can longer than we expect, especially for kids who already find school challenging. We’ll talk about why increased pressure can show up before kids feel settled, how to read behavior as information (not a problem), and what parents can do right now to better support the same kid they had before the break. Instead of pushing for outcomes or quick fixes, this episode offers a gentler reframe—focusing on support, understanding, and small adjustments that can make January feel more manageable for both kids and parents.

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 manageable for your child and for you.

Winter break can feel like a needed exhale after months of packed schedules and school pressure. But for many families, it also brings its own challenges. In this episode, parent coach and school navigator Scotti Weintraub shares practical, realistic strategies to help parents lower expectations, create just enough structure, and plan for their child’s unique needs during winter break. From managing schedule changes and sensory overload to giving yourself permission to say no and recognizing the emotional relief that time away from school can bring, this episode offers compassionate guidance for making winter break feel more supportive—for both kids and parents.

Learn how to make the most of your short parent-teacher conference using the Three Ps—Preparation, Patience, and Partnership on this episode of Unlocking School Success. Get simple questions to ask your child, tips for setting a positive tone, and the quick follow-up step that keeps communication going all year long.

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.