http://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com
🛠️ Quick Tips for Parents (Take‑away Action Items)
Start the “Youth‑Engagement Conversation” – Ask your teen: “What part of today felt most alive? What felt like a waste of time?”
Swap “Compliance” for “Co‑Creation” – Re‑frame rules as agreements: “Let’s decide together how we’ll handle homework this week.”
DIY Advocacy – Identify one school policy (e.g., cell‑phone usage) you can discuss with a teacher. Bring a teen‑suggested solution.
Leverage Strengths, Not Labels – If your teen mentions a diagnosis, ask: “What does this tell us about how you learn best?”
Micro‑Disruptions in the Classroom – Encourage teachers (or your own home‑learning) to let students choose one project topic each month.
today we’re stepping directly into a conversation that so many parents whisper about but rarely name out loud: the school system.
The one we grew up in.
The one our kids are sitting in right now.
And the one that — for too many teens — simply doesn’t match who they are, how they learn, or what they need to thrive.
For decades, we’ve been taught not to question it. But when a system is outdated, when it’s built for a world and a learner that no longer exist… we have to talk about it.
And today, we are.
I’m joined by Nevin Harper and Will Dobud, authors of the incredible book Kids These Days — a book that doesn’t just diagnose what’s going on with youth, but shines a bright light on the systems shaping them.
Together, we’re going to unpack what’s broken, what’s possible, and how every one of us — parents, educators, advocates — can begin disrupting the system in small, meaningful ways.
Show more...
http://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com
🛠️ Quick Tips for Parents (Take‑away Action Items)
Start the “Youth‑Engagement Conversation” – Ask your teen: “What part of today felt most alive? What felt like a waste of time?”
Swap “Compliance” for “Co‑Creation” – Re‑frame rules as agreements: “Let’s decide together how we’ll handle homework this week.”
DIY Advocacy – Identify one school policy (e.g., cell‑phone usage) you can discuss with a teacher. Bring a teen‑suggested solution.
Leverage Strengths, Not Labels – If your teen mentions a diagnosis, ask: “What does this tell us about how you learn best?”
Micro‑Disruptions in the Classroom – Encourage teachers (or your own home‑learning) to let students choose one project topic each month.
today we’re stepping directly into a conversation that so many parents whisper about but rarely name out loud: the school system.
The one we grew up in.
The one our kids are sitting in right now.
And the one that — for too many teens — simply doesn’t match who they are, how they learn, or what they need to thrive.
For decades, we’ve been taught not to question it. But when a system is outdated, when it’s built for a world and a learner that no longer exist… we have to talk about it.
And today, we are.
I’m joined by Nevin Harper and Will Dobud, authors of the incredible book Kids These Days — a book that doesn’t just diagnose what’s going on with youth, but shines a bright light on the systems shaping them.
Together, we’re going to unpack what’s broken, what’s possible, and how every one of us — parents, educators, advocates — can begin disrupting the system in small, meaningful ways.
Show more...
**Dial or text **988 — the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for anyone experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or mental health crises. It routes you to trained counselors 24/7. connectsafely.org+15en.wikipedia.org+15youthhubs.ca+15wired.com
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1‑800‑4ACHILD (1‑800‑422‑4453) — for children and teens in abusive situations. verywellmind.com+2stopitnow.org+2apa.org+2
Boys Town National Hotline: 1‑800‑448‑3000 — general crisis support for kids, teens, and parents. stopitnow.org
National Runaway Safeline: 1‑800‑RUNAWAY — for runaways or youth considering running away. cmha.ca+15stopitnow.org+15youthhubs.ca+15
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 — free, confidential text support available in both the U.S. and Canada. wolfsonchildrens.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7apa.org+7
**Dial or text **9‑8‑8 — Canada’s new Nationwide Suicide Crisis Helpline, launched November 30, 2023. It’s available 24/7 in English and French and is operated by CAMH and Kids Help Phone for all Canadians. kidshelpphone.ca+7en.wikipedia.org+7canada.ca+7
Kids Help Phone (for ages 5–29):
Call 1‑800‑668‑6868
Text CONNECT to 686868
Online chat via their website — available 24/7 in English and French
Iuri Melo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience and the proud father of five. He’s the co-founder of SchoolPulse, a nationwide student support service that delivers positivity, optimism, and growth mindset tools to students, parents, and faculty via text and email. After several teen suicides in his community, Iuri co-created SchoolPulse in 2017 to proactively support student well-being. He’s also the author of Mind Over Grey Matter and the teen best-seller Know Thy Selfie, and the developer of “Adventure Based Therapy.” With over 300 schools in 25+ states, Iuri’s mission to “bless the human family” is inspiring students every day through kindness, psychology, and powerful weekly v