Some Assembly Required

Wesleyan School
  • 5.0 (27)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Some Assembly Required: Because kids don't come with an instruction manual, is a podcast for real parents raising real kids. Hosted by two staff members at Wesleyan School, an independent K-12 school in the metro Atlanta area, the goal of this podcast is to provide practical things to consider when raising school-aged children. Guests will typically be one faculty member from Wesleyan paired with another expert on the topic we are discussing. Our hope is that anyone who loves school-aged children can use these resources, regardless of where you live or where your children attend school.

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

    Having Hard Conversations with Your Kids

    We all know that life can bring unexpected and challenging circumstances to navigate as a family. For some families, those challenges may be life altering: the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis that isn't great for a loved one, mom and dad have decided to divorce. These can be important and very intimidating conversations for parents, and we want to get them right. In this episode, we explore practical strategies and compassionate approaches for guiding children through these conversations, and for giving yourself grace in the process. From finding the right words to creating a safe space for emotions, we’ll share expert insights and real-life experiences to help parents feel prepared and supported during life’s toughest transitions. You can follow Rachel Menzoian's counseling practice on Instagram @refuelcounseling or on their website at www.refuelcounseling.com. Amy Barrett serves as one of Wesleyan's counselors for high school students, and she sees clients in private practice. You can find her online at www.newsongcounselingservices.com.

    41 min

  2. JAN 15

    Small Steps to Big Independence

    Most parents hope- or even expect- that their children grow into thriving, independent, young adults. But independence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built little by little while kids are still at home. In this episode, Auburn University’s Dr. Lady Cox and Wesleyan School’s Sarah Peebles join us to explore three real-life snapshots of independence in young adulthood and some simple, practical stepping stones that can help get kids there. Episode References and Show Notes: Gavin de Becker's Protecting the Gift

    50 min

  3. JAN 1

    You Won't Believe What Happened Today

    If you're heading into the end of Christmas break relating to the classic Christmas song lyric, "...and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again..." then this episode is for you. Things going a little haywire in your house? Feeling like insane things only happen in your family? In this episode, we share hilarious, heartwarming, and downright surprising things kids (and adults!) do that keep everyone on their toes and laughing...and it may make your family feel a little more normal. From innocent misunderstandings to a couple of practical jokes gone awry to wildlife encounters you have to see to believe, these stories will have you laughing out loud, and they left our colleagues saying, "You won't believe what happened today." Once you listen to the episode, be sure to check out this clip of the story about the time a squirrel was in the reference section of Chapman Library. The Great Squirrel Chase of 2018

    31 min

  4. 12/18/2025

    Christmas Requires Flexibility

    For some adults, the holiday season brings full calendars, long shopping lists, and intense pressure to maintain every magical tradition. In this episode, we talk about why flexibility isn’t a failure of tradition, but often the key to a meaningful holiday. Three parents bring their unique perspectives of celebrating Christmas with multicultural influences, across multiple households, and with challenging work schedules. This conversation offers practical encouragement and a reminder that meaningful celebrations don’t have to look the same to be deeply good.

    36 min

  5. 12/11/2025

    Mind, Body, and Spirit of Multi-Sport Participation

    Whether your child dreams of being the next Michael Jordan or just loves the game-day snacks, parenting an athlete comes with its fair share of questions, challenges, and celebrations. One common dilemma: Should my child specialize in one sport? In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Paroli, assistant director of athletics: media at Wesleyan School, and Britt Lee, author and cofounder of Pure Athlete, Inc. Together, we explore the mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of multi-sport participation and share practical ways to push back against the growing pressure to specialize. Episode References and Show Notes: Parenting the Pure Athlete by Britt LeePure Athlete PodcastPure Athlete episode with Matt RyanPure Athlete episode with Mallory Pugh SwansonNYT article about specializationPure Athlete episode with Tom GlavineRoger Federer’s graduation speech at DartmouthPure Athlete episode with Greg OlsenPure Athlete episode with Dr. Neeru JayanthiPure Athlete episode about burnout

    45 min

  6. 11/27/2025

    Faith Foundations: Praying with your children

    In this episode, we explore how parents can deepen their family's spiritual life by praying the scriptures with their children—an approach inspired by Dr. Don Whitney’s book Praying the Bible. Discover how this simple yet powerful practice can help your children engage with God’s Word in a meaningful way, cultivate a habit of prayer, and grow in their understanding of scripture. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, this episode offers practical tips, encouragement, and real-life examples to help you make prayer a natural and joyful part of your family’s daily rhythm. Our guests are Dr. Don Whitney - pastor, seminary professor, and author of books like Praying the Bible; and Greg Lisson, director of Christian life at Wesleyan School. Whether you have toddlers, kindergarteners, teenagers, adult children, or are well into grandparenthood, this episode offers a fresh look at how we can engage with God in a new way.

    46 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    4 Questions to Consider Before Your Child Has a Smartphone

    If your child is starting to ask for a phone—and you’re not sure you’re ready—this episode is for you. Whether you’re standing on the edge of those conversations or already navigating screen-time battles, it’s never too late to pause and think about what’s working—and what’s not. We walk through four key questions every parent can use to guide thoughtful conversations about personal devices, from social pressure to safety and responsibility. Our guests, Joseph Antonio and Sean Nestor, serve as the middle school principal and counselor at Wesleyan School. Drawing from their experiences in schools and in their own homes, they share practical and compassionate ways to frame the smartphone conversation. Focused on helping families flourish, this episode goes both big-picture and nitty-gritty so you can feel more confident about what comes next.

    42 min
  8. Getting Everyone Out the Door Without Losing Your Mind

    10/30/2025

    Getting Everyone Out the Door Without Losing Your Mind

    Mornings can feel like a high-stakes juggling act—packing lunches, finding shoes, signing permission slips, and somehow getting everyone out the door on time. In this episode, our guests are Karyn Vickery, director of academic support at Wesleyan School, and Ellen Hill, director of community engagement at the Schenck School . We’ll dive into the chaos of school-day mornings, what makes mornings so challenging to begin with, and practical tips to help families build smoother routines, reduce stress, and even find a little joy in the rush.

    45 min
  9. Parenting is a Marathon with Chris Cleveland

    10/09/2025

    Parenting is a Marathon with Chris Cleveland

    In this episode, we explore the long game of parenting—how raising children is less about sprinting through milestones and more about pacing ourselves for the journey ahead. Our guest is Chris Cleveland. Chris is the head of school at Wesleyan School and draws on both his 34-year career in education and his own experience being a dad. From maintaining healthy perspective to managing expectations to building resilience, we’ll talk about how parents can stay grounded, present, and connected through the ups and downs of family life. Whether you're at the start, middle, or end of this journey raising school-aged children, this conversation offers encouragement, practical strategies, and a reminder that you're not running this race alone.

    46 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Some Assembly Required: Because kids don't come with an instruction manual, is a podcast for real parents raising real kids. Hosted by two staff members at Wesleyan School, an independent K-12 school in the metro Atlanta area, the goal of this podcast is to provide practical things to consider when raising school-aged children. Guests will typically be one faculty member from Wesleyan paired with another expert on the topic we are discussing. Our hope is that anyone who loves school-aged children can use these resources, regardless of where you live or where your children attend school.

Information

  • Creator
    Wesleyan School
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Wesleyan School
  • Show Website
    Some Assembly Required

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