Homeschooling to Celebrate and Nurture Your Child’s Spark
Release Date: 04/23/2025
Sensory Struggles and Clothes: How to Help Your Child Dress Without Tears
Raising Lifelong Learners
We know mornings can feel like a battlefield when sensory issues and clothing collide, leaving kids (and parents!) frustrated before the day even begins. That’s why this week’s podcast episode dives into the heart of sensory struggles with clothes. Colleen has packed this episode with real-life advice for families navigating tactile sensitivities. If getting dressed feels like wrestling a porcupine, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing! Sensory struggles are REAL signals from your child’s nervous system. Sometimes clothes feel prickly, itchy, or unexpectedly uncomfortable and it...
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Navigating Sensory Overload: Actionable Strategies for Kids in Loud Environments
Raising Lifelong Learners
This episode continues our sensory series, diving deep into the world of Sensory Sound, with actionable strategies for supporting sensitive kids wherever you go. Why Are Loud Spaces So Overwhelming? Colleen unpacks how unpredictable peaks in sound, bustling crowds, harsh lighting, and layered sensory inputs can overload sensitive nervous systems. Whether it’s a mic popping at announcements, the hum of the HVAC, or the swirl of cafeteria chatter—these environments can quickly become “too much.” Building a Predictable Noise Plan—Step by Step This episode is all about taking back...
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Building a Sensory Diet Toolbox for Neurodivergent Kids at Home
Raising Lifelong Learners
In today's episode, Colleen breaks down what a sensory diet is (and isn’t!), why it matters, and how to get started with simple, safe, and low-prep strategies that work in any space—even if your house is bursting at the seams. Here’s what you’ll find inside: A breakdown of the five key sensory systems: proprioceptive, vestibular, tactile, oral motor, and auditory/visual. Ideas for easy, everyday sensory activities: From “squeezy hugs” and wall pushups to crashing into beanbags, squishing play doh, sipping yogurt through a straw, and more—no fancy equipment required! How to...
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Why Is Finishing So Hard? Helping Neurodivergent Kids Cross the Finish Line
Raising Lifelong Learners
Let’s be honest: if your kiddos leave a trail of half-finished projects, open browser tabs, and idea explosions in their wake, you are SO not alone. Neurodivergent kids (and their amazing, multitasking moms!) can struggle with seeing things through—not because they’re lazy or unmotivated, but because the finish line often feels fuzzy, overwhelming, or just plain boring. In this week’s episode, we're unpacking: Why finishing is tough for neurodivergent kiddos, whether it’s next-step anxiety, perfectionism, time blindness, or working memory hurdles. The power of “done...
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Why Typical Organization Systems Fail Neurodivergent Homeschoolers and What Works Instead
Raising Lifelong Learners
This episode is packed with real, practical strategies for getting (and staying) organized, especially for families homeschooling neurodivergent kids or anyone who simply bristles at traditional organization systems. We all know the struggle: out of sight = out of mind. Those neat folders and tucked-away systems might work for some, but for kids (and parents!) with ADHD, executive dysfunction, or asynchronous learning styles, they often fizzle by October. Instead, we’re embracing OPEN, VISIBLE, and EASY-TO-ACCESS systems that truly work for the way our brains (and our kids’ brains) are...
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When Working Memory Looks Like Defiance
Raising Lifelong Learners
As part of the ongoing Executive Function series on the podcast, this week's episode dives into the essential (and often misunderstood) skill of working memory—how it impacts neurodivergent learners and what we can do to help. If your child loses track of multi-step instructions, forgets a task mid-way, or gets overwhelmed by routines, you’re not alone—and it’s not simply forgetfulness. It’s about the way their brain processes and stores information moment-to-moment. Key Takeaways: Make Instructions Visible & Bite-Sized: Use a Working Memory Command Center (think:...
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Understanding Task Initiation in Neurodivergent Homeschoolers
Raising Lifelong Learners
If you tuned into this week’s episode, you know we’re in the thick of our executive function series—and this time, we took a deep dive into a challenge so many neurodivergent kiddos (and their parents!) know all too well: getting started. Task initiation can feel impossible for kids who are gifted, twice-exceptional, ADHD, autistic, anxious, or just generally outside-the-box thinkers. They might be able to talk your ear off about their passions, but ask them to start a five-minute worksheet, and it’s like hitting a brick wall. Sound familiar? Here’s the thing: your child isn’t...
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Morning Routines That Work: Flexible Approaches for Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids
Raising Lifelong Learners
Struggling with chaotic mornings—especially with neurodivergent, gifted, or twice-exceptional kiddos? You’re not alone! This week's episode of the podcast dives deep into practical strategies for establishing morning routines that truly work for your unique family. Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode: Ditch the “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach: Neurodivergent kids break the mold! Traditional checklists and rigid schedules can actually increase stress. Instead, focus on finding rhythms and anchors that guide your morning rather than the clock. Externalize Time &...
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Finding the Sweet Spot – Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Your Homeschool
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this week’s episode of the podcast, we dive deep into the tricky tightrope walk of balancing structure and flexibility at home—because let’s be honest, parenting (and homeschooling) neurodivergent kids isn’t for the faint of heart! This episode is your breathe-and-hit-reset permission slip. Here’s a peek at what we covered: Structure is Comforting… Until It Isn’t Structure helps our kids (and us!) feel safe. Predictable routines can seriously reduce anxiety, especially for those with executive functioning challenges, ADHD, autism, or sensory processing issues....
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Nurturing Neurodivergent Friendships: Practical Tips for Parents and Kids
Raising Lifelong Learners
This week on the podcast we're diving into a topic that's near and dear to so many of us: friendships for neurodivergent kids (and yes, for us as parents too). With a new school year kicking into gear, worries about social connection and "finding your people" can rise to the surface—especially for families navigating neurodiversity. What We’re Unpacking This Episode: Why friendships can be challenging for neurodivergent kids (think asynchronous development, sensory sensitivities, social anxiety, or intense interests that aren’t always shared by peers). Supporting your child: From...
info_outlineThis week’s episode of the podcast is truly close to my heart. We dove deep into what it means to truly embrace our kiddos’ unique sparks and passions, especially for our neurodivergent learners.
If you sometimes worry about your child being “too focused” on one thing, or wonder how to support their big interests when the world doesn’t always get it, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Why Intensity is a Feature, Not a Bug: It can feel overwhelming when your child hyper-focuses on trains, bugs, Minecraft, or musical theater. But that intensity? It’s a strength to celebrate, not a flaw to fix. Leaning into our kids’ passions not only boosts confidence, but helps them become the resilient, creative adults they’re meant to be.
- Breaking Out of the Comparison Trap: It’s easy to fall into “shoulds.” They should be reading more, should be more well-rounded, should make friends easily. But every kid grows at their own pace. Instead of trying to mold them into what the world expects, let’s help them lean into who they already are.
- Meet Them Where They Are Supporting our quirky, passionate kids isn’t always easy—especially when we worry about the “real world.” Remember, the world needs outside-the-box thinkers, problem solvers, and joy-chasers. When we show our kids their interests are valued, we’re setting them up for lifelong confidence.
Keep an eye out for new courses and coaching programs, perfect for your family. Stay tuned for more information by joining our newsletter if you haven’t already—it’s the best way to ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest resources and support.
Get the Book
For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don’t forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It’s a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.
Links and Resources from Today’s Episode
Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math
- The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners
- The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook
- Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab
- Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed.
- The Anxiety Toolkit
- Igniting Your Kids’ Passions
- Passions, Pressure, and Letting Our Kids Let Go
- Helping Kids Pursue Passions While Maintaining Peace of Mind
- Cultivating Leadership Skills in Homeschooling
- Inspire a Love for Learning at Home
- Rethinking Content | Transforming Education Through Homeschooling
Connect with Colleen
You can find Colleen on Twitter @ColleenKessler, Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners, Instagram @ColleenKessler