Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment

134. Helping Your (ADHD) Teen Manage Time & Build Executive Function Skills With Chrissy Nichols

Beth Hillman | Parent Coach for Parents of Struggling Teens | & Chrissy Nichols, Executive Functioning Coach Episode 134

If your teen or young adult constantly underestimates how long things take or insists they “have plenty of time” when they don’t, welcome to the club! This common struggle is called time dysmorphia, and it’s more than just procrastination or laziness. It actually has to do with executive functioning.

In this episode, executive function coach Chrissy Nichols joins me to explain what time dysmorphia is, why it happens, and how parents can help their kids manage it without frustration or shame.

Many parents misinterpret time dysmorphia as defiance or irresponsibility. But whether your teen has ADHD or not, their brain may simply process time differently. Instead of getting impatient or triggered, Chrissy shares a three-step process parents can use to increase awareness, remove shame, and partner with their teen in creating practical solutions.

“That’s the ultimate goal … not to get folks feeling dependent on an external source, but knowing that they have everything they need inside.” - Chrissy Nichols

If your teen or young adult struggles to estimate time or follow through on tasks, this conversation will help you shift from frustration to understanding and support.

In this episode on helping your (ADHD) teen or young adult manage time & build executive function skills, we cover:

  • What time dysmorphia is and why it impacts teens and young adults but also ourselves as parents;
  • Why this is an executive functioning issue, not laziness or disrespect;
  • How to respond with curiosity instead of frustration;
  • A three-step framework for helping your teen manage their time;
  • How to support your teen or young adult in building accountability and self-awareness without shame;
  • And more!


More about Chrissy Nichols
Chrissy Nichols is an executive function coach for learners of all ages but specializes in helping teens reintegrate into traditional learning environments. After more than 22 years in the classroom, Chrissy's brain hacks help clients see that there is absolutely nothing wrong with them--they just need to learn how to rewire their brain.
Chrissy's work is aimed to empower her student clients to empower themselves. For parents, this means taking school and academics off their parenting plates so they can simply love their child.
See how Chrissy’s thought concepts can become your executive function concepts over at www.thechrissyconcept.com

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

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And remember parents, the change begins with us.

People on this episode