When your child avoids or puts things off
Helping your child move forward when something feels hard to start.
Let's slow this moment down
FOR YOU
Avoiding a task doesn’t mean your child doesn’t care. Often, it means something about it feels uncomfortable, unclear, or too much.
SAY TO YOUR CHILD
“It seems like this is hard to start.”
“Let’s slow this down for a moment.”
What might this feel like?
FOR YOU
Avoidance is often connected to uncertainty, frustration, or not knowing where to begin. Stay curious instead of trying to fix it right away.
SAY TO YOUR CHILD
“Maybe this feels frustrating.”
“Or maybe it just feels like a lot to figure out.”
This feeling can be here.
FOR YOU
Your child doesn’t need to feel ready before they begin. Letting that hesitation be there can help your child begin.
SAY TO YOUR CHILD
“It’s okay if this doesn’t feel easy.”
“You can feel unsure and still take a small step.”
Let’s make this smaller.
FOR YOU
Avoidance often comes from the task feeling too big or unclear. Help your child focus on one small, clear starting point.
SAY TO YOUR CHILD
“Let’s just pick one small part.”
“We don’t have to do all of it right now.”
What's one small step?
FOR YOU
Starting is usually the hardest part. Once your child begins, their brain starts to settle and it becomes easier to keep going.
SAY TO YOUR CHILD
“Let’s just start here.”
“Let's just see what the first step looks like.”
“We can stop after this one step if you want.”
You don't have to solve the whole task right now. Helping your child begin is enough.
Come back to this whenever you need a reset.