Parents Need a Division of Labor
What kind of stress can challenges with executive function cause in the home?
Parents tell us all the time:
“There’s just too much going on. I can’t track everything anymore. And my teen doesn't want me to, anyway. So we're stuck.
When your child struggles with executive function - managing homework, routines, screen time, and the million other tasks of teenage life - you often become the default “operations manager.”
You’re fielding every email from teachers, awash in alerts from Schoology or Google Classroom for missing assignments, and refereeing battles over wake-up times and all of the screens.
It can be mentally and emotionally exhausting.
Doing it all alone usually isn’t sustainable, for you or your teen. Parents need help “dividing the labor.”
We work with families to tackle the day-to-day logistics for two reasons. One, to build your teen’s independence. Two, to reduce the managerial headache.
Why does a division of labor matter?
It offloads some tasks, and reduces overwhelm. Instead of mom or dad spinning all the plates, we support on the less-glamorous details: checking assignment portals, drafting emails to teachers. Maybe it’s the daily voice on “hey how did sleep go last night?”
When you’re not the constant enforcer or “nag,” you can refocus on connecting with your teen. Maybe go to the movies together. Or grab a coffee. Maybe you start to “notice the positive” more - and write them notes of appreciation.
Our big picture is not about doing everything for your teen; we’re here to help them learn executive function skills. This will help them get going, and make your life a little more peaceful.
How does it Work?
A Thought Partner for School “Forensics”
Take one mom we work with who’s grappling daily with Schoology. Her son struggles in multiple subjects, and the platform can be a maze of missing assignments, half-posted grades, and cryptic teacher comments. She used to spend a couple hours per week trying to decipher what needed doing, and when. And the notification about missing assignments just kept coming in!
Now, we act as her thought partner. We help dig into the “forensics” of Schoology, figuring out the real story behind each teacher’s grading system. We sit with her son, walking him through the process of drafting polite, clear emails to ask for makeup work. Instead of that mental burden falling entirely on her, she has someone on her team who actually likes unraveling these puzzles.
Of course … Her son is learning how to do this detective work himself. Over time, he’ll need less guidance, because he’s gaining confidence and skill in advocating for himself.
The Morning Routine Makeover
Another mom was exasperated trying to fix the chaotic morning routine. She wanted her teen up, dressed, fed, and out the door on time, but each day felt like a new battle. So we stepped in, helping her “reverse-engineer” the routine. We looked at wake-up times, breakfasts, bus schedules, everything.
Was it glamorous? Not really. Was it satisfying (to us)? Absolutely. We tracked each morning for three weeks, adjusting and fine-tuning. The result? Her teen went from being ready on time 1 out of 15 mornings to 13 out of 15 (a huge win). And mom got to step back from the nagging role. The newfound calm let her start the day with a smile instead of a struggle.
Locking In on Studying (and Actually Liking It)
We also work with kids who need focused academic support. “Trouble with EF” is sometimes “trouble with content” in disguise.
One high-schooler had the motivation but got stuck when it came to actually locking in and studying. He needed more than a quick pep talk, more than “strategies.” he needed someone with content expertise across multiple subjects.
As former educators, we’re comfortable digging into algebra or analyzing a challenging APUSH DBQ. This student saw real progress in his grades and his confidence. It’s not just about “doing the homework,” it’s about developing the habit of “getting going.”
Building Habits for Everyday Life
For some families, the “big deal” isn’t homework or wake-ups—it’s everyday habits. Maybe your teenager’s room is a disaster zone, or they’ve dropped the reading habit they used to love. We’ll step in, leaning on approaches from James Clear’s Atomic Habits to create simple trackers and cues that make forming good habits easier.
A few of our clients wanted help with daily room tidying, so we introduced a habit tracker that literally checks off each day’s progress. When the new routine sticks (like setting a 10-minute timer right after dinner for a quick pick-up), it becomes second nature. And that small win often spills over into other areas—like schoolwork or self-care—because success in one habit can build momentum for others.
Putting It All Together
Parenting a teen with executive function challenges can be hard. You don’t have to do it all yourself. By dividing the labor, you can focus on strengthening the bond with your child, celebrating their wins, and watching them grow.
Meanwhile, we’ll handle the nitty-gritty details, coach your teen on practical skills, and keep everyone in the loop so you’re never left in the dark.
The “detective work” on the side? It’s what we love to do, and we’ve seen firsthand how a little logistical help can create a whole lot of breathing room for families.
