Podcast Episode 59: Simple Steps to Help Your Kids be Laser-Focused on BIG Tasks

Ah…7th grade English class! I can still remember it like it was yesterday (cue the dream sequence 😂 ).

I had a book of poems due and the teacher gave us several weeks to do it, but I put it off until literally…The. Night. Before! I could give you a million reasons why, but none of them really mattered. It was the night before it was due, and there I was. I had to do the whole project. Write several original poems and bind them into a book.

Needless to say, what I turned in the next morning was not my best work, and my teacher apparently agreed by the grade I was given.

Ouch!

Does this sound a little like what happens with your kids when they have a big project due? Why do kids lack focus on projects?

They know about it in plenty of time, but often put it off until the last possible minute? Seemingly like they can’t figure out how to get organized.

And how about when they also wait until the night before it’s due to tell you that they need supplies and it’s the first time you have even heard about this thing?

Yeah…that’s my favorite. Said no parent ever!

You end up asking yourself why you are staying up late and anxious about this school project when you are fairly certain that you already passed elementary school science.

Your kid ends up crying and so do you.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Here’s 3 easy steps to help your kids be laser focused on BIG tasks!

(Hint: It will help you to be more focused as well)

1. Brainstorm or Brain Dump

List out everything remotely related to what you have to do.

To make it fun you can get a large post it to do it on and use colored markers

Or just write it down in a notebook.

Then walk away and come back to look at the list. This gives your brain a chance to see it fresh and you might see something you forgot.

READ: 3 Steps to Never-Ending Summer Activities for Older Kids

2. Prioritize

Now look at your list of things. If you don’t already know what your BIG task is- you will see it in there because you will have more than 2 things listed that will relate to the big task. If you are having trouble seeing it, ask yourself this question:

What’s the ONE thing that HAS to happen to make other things work?

3. Plan it Out & Work Backwards

First of all- you have done the majority of the work already!

Woo-Hoo!

You have your BIG tasks that you need to focus on! And you have all the little steps that need to be accomplished on your brain dump as well!

Now you just have to pull out a calendar and start working backwards from the date where you want the task done.

This will help you have smaller milestones that are a lot easier to tackle than just the great BIG one!

READ: Overwhelmed? Homework Help for your Middle School Student

And if you feel like your kid could use a little more help with these tasks, check out our kids course Not So Bummer Summer and our DOT Planner system!

Resources We Shared:

DOT Planner

Not So Bummer Summer

Drama-Free Homework Checklist

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know

Download the transcripts HERE

The best mom is a happy mom. To better take care of you, download our No Guilt Mom mindset here . These reminders will help you second guess less, and feel more confidence every day in your parenting.