Episode 369: Capable the Elementary Years with David and Sissy

Raising Boys & Girls

That Sounds Fun Network

Religion & Spirituality, Kids & Family, Christianity, Parenting

4.9 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 23 April 2026

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Elementary school is a critical window where kids begin asking, “Am I capable?” and moments of struggle, not success, are what build that belief. Anxiety, anger, lack of regulation, and low agency are showing up more than ever, but they’re also opportunities. When parents pause before rescuing, hold steady boundaries, and give kids space to problem-solve, they’re actually building resilience and mental health. Capability grows when kids experience manageable challenges with support, learning, “I can do hard things.” . . . . . . Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. HOPE SPRINGS: Listen along to Hope Springs, https://tinyurl.com/RBGHopeSprings, a family audio drama series following the lives and adventures of a few Colorado kids QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. NIV ILLUSTRATING BIBLE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGNIVIllustratingBible to learn more about the NIV Illustrating Bible. EVERYBODY GET A JUICE BOX: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGJuiceboxPodcast to learn more about this podcast on neurodiverse parenting. SHOPIFY: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGShopify to learn more about Shopify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Busy routines can make it hard to focus on your health goals, but MedExpress offers a simple way to explore weight management treatment online.
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0:19.1	Visit Medexpress.co.ukesl.ukk slash podcast to get started today.
0:27.4	Hey friends, welcome to the Raising Boys and Girls podcast. I'm Sissy Goff.
0:36.5	And I'm David Thomas, and we're so glad you've joined us for this conversation. Let's dive in.
0:46.3	Okay, let's start with a moment most parents of elementary school age kids have had.
0:56.6	Your child is sitting at the table, staring at homework, and after a long pause, says, I can't do this.
1:03.7	Or this is too hard.
1:06.3	I'm bad at math.
1:07.6	I don't want to go.
1:08.9	And something in you feels it immediately because this is different
1:13.7	than toddler defiance. This feels like self-doubt or even anxiety. And what if that moment right
1:20.9	there is one of the most important moments for building capability? We say that one more time.
1:26.4	Yes.
1:34.1	And what if that moment right there is one of the most important moments for building capability?
1:40.9	Because elementary school is where kids begin asking, am I someone who can handle hard things?
1:46.3	We often think of elementary school as a little easier. We've moved out of the neediness and constant moms of the toddler age, but also we haven't quite hit the angsty
1:52.6	adolescents. But developmentally, you all, these are anything but easy years. There's so much happening
1:59.1	physically, socially, emotionally, and they still don't
2:03.5	have the words to describe it. Yeah. And this is when kids step into the world in a new way, school,
2:10.4	friendships, performance, comparison. And for the first time, they're not just asking,
	...

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