Child or Teen with ADHD struggling with time management?

Teens, tasks & triumphs.

Parenting teenagers can be an exhilarating rollercoaster ride, filled with moments of pride and joy, but also times of extreme chaos and red-faced frustration. One of the most common challenges faced by teens and their parents is the struggle with time management.

Balancing academics, extracurriculars, social life, and personal responsibilities can be overwhelming. However, fear not, as there's a proven strategy that can help teens conquer this mountain of tasks – breaking apart larger tasks into smaller ones. Today, we'll explore how this approach can save the day for teens with executive function deficits and make parenting a little less hair-raising.

The Problem: Time-task Quicksand

Picture this scenario, we know you can: Your teenager is tasked with a significant project or assignment that seems to swallow them whole. They stare at the vast abyss of work before them, not knowing where to start, and the minutes tick away like seconds in an hourglass. It's as if they're stuck in a never-ending quicksand of tasks, desperately trying to stay afloat.

Enter the Super Strategy: “Chunk-it-out”

Just like a superhero swoops in to save the day, breaking apart large tasks into smaller ones can be the lifesaver your teen needs. The secret lies in transforming the behemoth assignment into bite-sized, manageable chunks. By doing so, teens can navigate their tasks like a pro, and parents can avoid pulling their hair out in frustration.

How to Chunk-it-out

Encourage your teen to make a to-do list for the larger task. Break it down into smaller components, each representing a specific aspect of the overall assignment. This list can become their trusty sidekick, guiding them through the journey to success. For example, if the task is to write a research paper, the list could include steps like "Choose a topic," "Gather research materials," "Write an outline," "Draft introduction," and so on.
Your child should then assess how difficult each step is using a 1-10 rating scale. Anything over a 3 should be broken down into a smaller step to feel more manageable. “Chunk-it-out” once more.
Introduce your teen to the Pomodoro Technique - a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. This technique advocates working in short, focused bursts (typically 25 minutes) followed by a short break. It's amazing how much can be accomplished when you race against the clock! Chunking the time into short intervals makes tasks feel less daunting and more achievable. (You might even want to use this strategy with that pile of laundry over there in the corner!)
Parenting teens with executive function deficits can be a real test of patience, so why not find humor in the chaos? Celebrate small victories, share funny anecdotes, and remember that laughter is the best stress-reliever! Reward your teen for completing each chunk, reinforcing positive behavior and motivation. **Bonus points if they complete a task ahead of schedule!

The Perks of the Smaller-task Approach

Parenting teens with executive function deficits might sometimes feel like trying to tame a wild tornado. However, by embracing the "chunk-it-out" approach to time management, you can:

1) Reduce Overwhelm: By dividing larger tasks into smaller ones, teens can avoid feeling overwhelmed, making it easier to concentrate and stay focused. Hello last night’s dream!

2) Increased Productivity: When tasks are more manageable, teens can see their progress more clearly. This sense of accomplishment fuels their motivation to keep going.

3) Teach a Life Skill: With a clear roadmap of what needs to be done and when, teens can develop better time management skills, which will serve them well beyond their teenage years.

So, don your superhero capes and dive into the world of smaller tasks - a world where teens can excel, parents can breathe a little easier, and time management triumphs are within reach!