Hi Reader!

Ever start the school year full of hope, only to hit resistance from your child within the first few weeks?

You've got the books ready. The schedule planned. But your kid zones out during lessons or melts down before you even start.

I've been there with both of my kids. And after years of experimenting, I've learned something important: Most kids don't struggle with motivation for things they love. The struggle is with non-preferred tasks.

Here's what I've found actually helps:

Reduce the overwhelm. When kids feel stressed, their brains literally can't learn. Break tasks into smaller pieces. If writing a whole essay feels impossible, start with one sentence. If a full page of math problems triggers shutdown, fold the paper in half and tackle just a few at a time.

Small actions build momentum. And momentum reduces anxiety.

Help them take ownership. Instead of telling your child what to do, ask open-ended questions. "What's your priority for this assignment?" or "What grade do you want to get out of this?"

I remember my son once told me he was fine getting a D on a writing assignment because he didn't care about the topic. I let him. The next week, he came to me and said, "I didn't do as well as I could have. Next time, I'm going to do better." That was him owning his learning—not me owning it for him.

Provide support and accountability. Some kids need us nearby while they work. Not to do it for them, but just to be present. It's called body doubling, and for ADHD kids especially, it's a game changer.

Also? End every session on a feeling of success. Play a quick game. Share a high five. Release that dopamine so they associate learning with positive emotions.

Discover their passions. My daughter loves theater, so we value it as much as math. My son loved Minecraft, so he built an entire sustainable environment on Mars for his environmental science project. It took longer than a traditional assignment, but he couldn't wait to work on it.

When you weave their interests into learning, resistance drops. Connection grows.

You don't have to figure this out alone. This month inside our coaching community, we're diving deep into motivation and momentum—with strategies, support, and a community of parents navigating the same challenges.

If you've been feeling stuck, this might be exactly what you need.

👉 Join us here: Community - Homeschool Essentials​

And if you're not ready yet, hit reply and tell me: What's one thing your child resists right now? I'd love to offer a tip.

Your friend,

P.S. Progress matters more than perfection. If your child is struggling with motivation, you're not doing anything wrong. You're just figuring out what works for your unique kid.

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