Why do so many boys start saying “I hate school” as early as kindergarten?

In this eye-opening episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, Suzy Shaw talks with Jennifer Fink—author of Building Boys and The First Time Mom’s Guide to Raising Boys—about why so many boys struggle in elementary school, often long before parents expect it.

From behavior referrals and reading frustration to developmental differences, classroom bias, and the critical importance of movement, confidence, and advocacy, this conversation helps moms better understand what may really be happening when school becomes a daily battle.

Suzy and Jennifer share personal stories, practical strategies, and empowering reminders that struggling in school does not mean your son is failing—it may mean the system isn’t built with boys in mind.

If your son is bored, acting out, falling behind, or already saying he hates school, this episode will help you better understand why—and what you can do to support him.

Topics include:

This episode is a powerful reminder: your son may not be the problem—and you are not alone.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or at mothersofboys.life

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Teaching kids about money can feel overwhelming—especially when many of us weren’t raised having open conversations about finances ourselves.

In this episode, Geoff Howard, dad of two and CEO of the Money Confidence Project, shares practical ways parents can help tweens, teens, and young adults build confidence with money, develop healthier financial habits, and learn real-world skills that last far beyond childhood.

From entrepreneurship to goal-setting tools and tough-love lessons, this conversation is packed with practical strategies and tools for raising financially capable kids in today’s fast-moving world.

If you’ve ever wondered:

This episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or at mothersofboys.life

#MOBsurvivalguide #FinancialLiteracyForKids #ParentingTeens #MoneySkills #RaisingBoys #SmartMoney #FinancialConfidence #ParentingTips

What happens when a boy grows up feeling unseen?

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast, Suzy Shaw talks with E.A. Johnson—father, motivational speaker, and creator of the VIBE Success System—about how childhood trauma and the pressure to “tough it out” can shape boys into adulthood.

E.A. shares his journey from abuse, bullying, and addiction to rebuilding his life with purpose and offers practical insight into what boys really need to feel supported.

From better questions to stronger connections, this episode gives moms simple, meaningful ways to help their sons feel seen, build resilience, and open up—beyond the usual “I’m fine.”

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share it with another mom who’s in the thick of it.

Be kind to yourself, moms.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere—but most of our kids are only using it, not understanding it. So the real question is: are we raising kids who can just use technology… or kids who know how to think with it?

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast, I talk with tech entrepreneur and Coco Coders' founder Elizabeth Tweedale about why coding and computational thinking are becoming essential life skills. We dig into how AI actually works (and where it gets it wrong), why critical thinking matters more than ever, and how we can shift screen time from passive to purposeful.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to keep up with technology right alongside your kids—you’re not alone. This conversation will give you a new way to think about it.

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share it with another mom who’s in the thick of it.

Be kind to yourself, moms.

Are you just getting through the day… or intentionally raising a good man?

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, I talk with Nathaniel Turner, author of Raising Supaman, about how to raise boys with purpose—without adding pressure or perfection to your already full plate.

Nate shares the intentional framework he and his wife used to raise their son as a “Man in Training,” including three powerful pillars that can guide everyday parenting decisions. We also talk about one simple but impactful practice—writing letters to your child—and how it can shape connection, confidence, and long-term growth.

For moms, this conversation offers a perspective shift on our role in raising future men—and why creating space for fathers and male role models matters more than we think.

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share it with another mom who’s in the thick of it.

Be kind to yourself, moms.

If you’ve ever wondered how your kids can grow up in the same home yet be completely different, birth order may have more to do with it than you think. In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast, Suzy Shaw talks with Dr. Robert Hurst, author of Life’s Fingerprint: How Birth Order Affects Your Path Throughout Life, about how birth order shapes personality, behavior, and sibling dynamics—especially when raising boys.

We break down classic birth order traits and go deeper into real-life parenting, including sibling rivalry, blended families, and twins. You’ll walk away with practical insights to better understand your children, reduce conflict, and parent each child for who they are—not where they fall in line.

🎧 For more episodes and resources, visit Mothers of Boys Survival Guide: https://mothersofboys.life

Middle school is a turning point for boys—and for parents. As curiosity grows and boundaries are tested, it can be hard to know what’s normal and what might signal something more concerning.

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast, Suzy talks with educator and recovery coach Chris Rogers about risky behavior in middle school boys—how to spot early warning signs and how to respond in a way that keeps communication open.

They discuss:

This episode offers practical guidance and reassurance for parents navigating one of the most challenging—and important—stages of raising boys.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to stay connected while guiding your son through these critical years.

Learn More About Chris Rogers — Rebooted Teen

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📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

🔗 Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys! ⭐⭐⭐ Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast ⭐⭐⭐ 

Parenting can be joyful, but it can also feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast, Suzy Shaw talks with mental fitness coach and mom of five, Penny Wilson, about what happens when parenting stress pushes moms into survival mode—and how learning to pause, breathe, and reset can help us respond more calmly in the heat of the moment.

Penny shares practical tools for regulating the nervous system, handling sibling conflict, and building mental fitness so parents can move from reactive parenting to calm leadership. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure how to reset during intense parenting moments, this conversation offers encouragement and simple strategies you can begin using today.

Learn More About Penny Wilson — Kokoro Creators 

👉 If this conversation was helpful, please like, subscribe, and share with another parent who might need it.

📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s book: Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

🔗 Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys! ⭐⭐⭐ Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast ⭐⭐⭐ 

Some children don’t follow the typical developmental path—and when that happens, many moms suddenly find themselves navigating a maze of evaluations, acronyms, therapies, and school meetings.

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast, I talk with special education advocate Michelle Choairy, a mom who knows this journey firsthand. Michelle shares her story of raising her son, who was born prematurely and later diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, and how that experience led her to help other families navigate special education and support systems.

We talk about trusting your “mom gut,” recognizing early signs that something may be different, understanding IEPs and 504 plans, and why building the right team around your child can make all the difference. Michelle also shares her THRIVE framework, which helps parents advocate for their children while remembering to take care of themselves along the way.

If you’re raising a child with developmental delays, learning differences, or complex needs, this conversation is full of encouragement and practical insight.

Raising boys on your own can feel overwhelming—but you are not alone.

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, host Suzy Shaw talks with Pat Hankin, author of The Field Guide for Single Parents, about the real-life challenges and strengths of solo parenting. Drawing on insights from a community of more than 470,000 single parents, Pat shares practical advice on managing finances, building a reliable support network, navigating conflict with an ex-spouse, and helping boys grow into confident, respectful young men.

This honest conversation explores how single moms can move from overwhelm to confidence—one small step at a time.

In this episode, we discuss: