Starting school isn’t a one-day event. It’s a season of change for the whole family. In this episode of Parenting Unfiltered, host Sara Kapp talks with Missi Baranko, mom of four and Executive Director of USpire, about settling into preschool and kindergarten with confidence.

Missi shares what helped in her own home—routines within routines, realistic expectations, and celebrating small wins—and how in-home coaching and developmental screening (like North Dakota’s Right Track) can support parents early on.

You’ll hear practical ideas for transitions, visual schedules, giving real choices, and teaching resilience after a tough day. If you’re wondering what’s a red flag, where to start, or how to keep evenings from derailing, this conversation brings calm, doable steps you can try today.