S5E9 - S05E009: Countdown To High School

S5E9 - S05E009: Countdown To High School

🎙️ Hey Other Parents — S05E009: Countdown To HS This week, we’re talking about the countdown to high school — and how suddenly it feels like parenting shifts into an entirely different gear. One minute your kid is figuring out lockers and late homework… and the next you’re hearing about SATs, AP classes, transcripts, clubs, guidance counselors, and “building a future.” We get into what actually matters heading into high school in 2026, including academics, mental health, independence, social growth, failure, leadership, and helping kids build a life instead of just a résumé. Because high school shouldn’t only be about getting into college. It should also be about becoming a person.   We also reference a fantastic post from former Blizzard developer and Bungie executive Greg Street about careers in the video game industry and what actually helps students stand out long-term:Bungie Forum Post by Greg “Ghostcrawler” Street ( [https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/60237790?utm]Click on where it says Spoiler Alert - click at your own risk to see the original article that was reposted here. ) https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/60237790?utm [https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/60237790?utm] **** [https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/60237790?utm] ❓ Question of the Week:What are you most nervous or excited about with your kid going into high school? 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437)📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents [https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents] 🔌 Time To Unplug: * Michael Heit: Getting back into 3D printing with the Bambu Labs P1S and multicolor printing * Sara D: Hulk Hogan’s Real American on Netflix * Mike Levine: The Mandalorian & Grogu and overpriced popcorn tins 🎧 Hey Other Parents is hosted by Michael Heit, Sara Desravines, and Mike Levine — an honest discussion about raising kids.. This is Hey Other Parents episode #078. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents [https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents] Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co [https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co]

S5E8 - S05E008: Text Me When You Get Home

🎙️ Hey Other Parents — S05E008: Text Me When You Get Home This week, we’re talking about that moment when parenting starts to change. The point where sleepovers become parties, quick hangouts turn into late nights, and our kids start entering situations we can’t fully supervise anymore. Somewhere along the way, parenting shifts from protecting… to preparing. We’re talking about the unspoken rules people use to stay safe when they go out — buddy systems, location sharing, checking the vibe before staying somewhere, watching drinks, texting when you get home, and knowing how to leave a situation when things suddenly feel wrong. We also get into trust, tracking apps, party safety, teaching responsibility around alcohol, and why one of the hardest parts of parenting is realizing you can’t always go with them anymore. Because eventually, “Be careful” stops feeling like enough. ❓ Question of the Week:What safety rule or piece of advice do you hope your kids always remember when they go out on their own? 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents [https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents] 🔌 Parenting Unplugged: * Michael Heit: Game Changer / Make Some Noise (DropOutTV) * Sara D: Million Dollar Secret * Mike Levine: Razor Crest Star Wars toy ❤️ Support the Show:If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it.Leaving a quick review helps more parents find us—and helps grow the community. 🎧 About the Show:Hey Other Parents is an honest, messy, imperfect conversation about raising kids. Episode #76 overall. Edited and mixed by Michael Heit.Intro voiceover by Koltrane. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents [https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents] Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co [https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co]

S5E7 - S05E007: Candles and Mayhem (The Birthday Episode)

🎙️ Hey Other Parents — S05E007: Candles and Mayhem (The Birthday Episode) This week, we’re talking about birthdays—and how something that’s supposed to be fun somehow turns into a full-on production. Somewhere between cakes, gifts, decorations, Pinterest parties, and trying to create the “perfect” day, birthdays became stressful, expensive, emotional, and just a little chaotic. We get into the pressure parents put on themselves, the moments that completely fall apart, and why the memories kids actually keep probably aren’t the ones we spend weeks stressing over. Because sometimes the best birthday moments happen after the plan goes completely sideways.  ❓ Question of the Week: What is your absolute most ridiculous birthday moment? 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents [https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents] 🔌 Parenting Unplugged: * Michael Heit: Beard Meets Food (YouTube) * Sara D: Making time to get her steps in * Mike Levine: MAY THE FOURTH WEEK WOOT WOOT!!! ❤️ Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Leaving a quick review helps more parents find us—and helps grow the community. 🎧 About the Show: Hey Other Parents is an honest, messy, imperfect conversation about raising kids. Episode #75 overall. Edited and mixed by Michael Heit. Intro voiceover by Koltrane. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents [https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents] Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co [https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co]

S5E6 - S05E006: Working Moms in America (The Balance Myth)

🎙️ Hey Other Parents — S05E006: Working Moms in America (The Balance Myth) This week, we’re talking about working moms—and the pressure to somehow do it all. Show up at work like you don’t have kids, show up at home like you don’t have a job, and somewhere in between try to create perfect moments, make every event, and keep it all together. We get real about the myth of balance, the guilt, the double standards, and why it can feel like no matter what you do, you’re falling short somewhere. This isn’t a “how-to” episode—it’s an honest look at what it actually feels like to live in that space, and why maybe balance isn’t the goal at all.  ❓ Question of the Week: What do you want your partner to understand about work-life balance? 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents [https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents] 🔌 Parenting Unplugged: * Sara D: Big Mistakes on Netflix (Dan Levy) * Mike Levine: Baseball game + Star Wars bobblehead night * Michael Heit: How-2-Escape (Switch / phone / PC / Mac) ❤️ Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Leaving a quick review helps more parents find us and helps grow the community on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Hey Other Parents Episode #74 overall. Edited and mixed by Michael Heit. Intro voiceover by Koltrane. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents [https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents] Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co [https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co]

S5E5 - S05E005: Talk Less. Connect More.

S05E005: Talk Less. Connect More. This week, we’re getting real about something we all do—talking at our kids instead of actually connecting with them. Because somewhere between asking questions, giving advice, and trying to “help,” our conversations start to feel like lectures… and kids shut down fast. We break down why that happens, what better conversations actually look like, and how small shifts—like timing, tone, and just letting silence sit—can completely change the way our kids open up. From car ride confessions to one-word answers, this episode is all about creating space where kids actually want to talk. 🎧 Parenting Unplugged: Heit: Secrets of a Passionate Marriage — Secrets of a Passionate Marriage Sara: The Housemaid — a thriller that’s perfect for folding laundry Levine: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV 📞 Join the Conversation: What do you want to see your kids doing independently without being asked? 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents [https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents] 🎙️ This is Episode 75 of Hey Other Parents — an honest discussion about raising kids. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents [https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents] Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co [https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co]