This episode marks the end of our fourth season, and we’re taking the opportunity to share some insights we’ve gained over this time, with a special focus on what we have seen over the school year. We discuss some of the trends that have continued and increased and new ones we’ve noticed in the kids we work with. We touch on the power of boredom and why the true practice of gentle parenting shouldn’t mean permissiveness. Our conversation also dives into themes we’ve noticed in the world of college admissions in the past year, including gender bias and funky waitlists. Lastly, we discuss some of our plans for the coming year, including celebrating Cathy’s 50th birthday cancer-free. Thanks for listening.  Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:48] Reflections on four years of hosting this podcast.  [0:02:40] How the past year has differed from previous years and what has stayed the same. [0:05:20] What has changed in middle and high school education. [0:07:09] A year-on-year trend around reading and speaking. [0:10:31] How boredom can facilitate finding what your kids are truly interested in. [0:11:38] Gentle parenting, consequences, and permissiveness. [0:15:55] Themes in the world of college admissions this year. [0:20:11] Funky waitlists and weird offers. [0:22:00] Our plans for the coming year.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram