The Blog is Back!
Beyond the Pandemic: The Lasting Learning Disruptions and the Rise of the Executive Function Deficit
A brief stint with this blog sparked a bigger project—my forthcoming book, an incisive guide to help parents navigate the challenge of easing their teens and young adults into full adulthood in a world that demands too much from their developing executive functions.
Like the blog, this book was born out of what I’ve seen in my coaching/tutoring practice, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. As schools eased up on workload to help students manage the mental health strains of a global crisis, many young people—especially those in critical developmental windows—lost years of skill-building opportunities. While much of the media focused on younger students' reading and math setbacks, I saw another problem unfolding: a critical gap in executive functioning skills. As students move into high school, and beyond, we’re witnessing the consequences not just of “school interrupted” but also of the growing ubiquity of technology in their lives. The expectations of young people are higher than ever, but circumstances beyond their control have affected their ability to meet them. Even our brightest, most capable kids are struggling under the weight of what is, frankly, an unforgiving educational ecosystem.
My book will offer parents the skills and language they need to mentor their kids through this new reality with empathy and perspective. If we understand the unforgiving nature of this "new normal," we can stop blaming our kids for struggling and start giving them the support they need to transition into adulthood more successfully.
This blog will be a place to continue that conversation. Some posts will be free, while others will be for paid subscribers—but all will be food for thought. More than just a blog, this will be a safe space for parents, educators, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in strengthening their executive functioning skills. Foudning members will get access to Q&A sessions and the ability to shape blog content. It’s a place for wondering aloud about EF challenges, posing questions, and getting real, practical answers.
If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to subscribe, engage, and share. Growing this readership will deepen the conversation and help bring this book to life. Let’s navigate this together!
Photo Credit: Photo by Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez on Unsplash