Why Time Feels Slippery for Some Kids
Does your child always seem to be in a rush—frantically putting on their shoes as the bus arrives or scrambling to finish homework at the last minute? Do they insist that something will “only take five minutes” when it never does?
If your child constantly misjudges time, procrastinates, or struggles with deadlines, you’re not alone. Many bright, capable kids find time management incredibly difficult—not because they’re lazy or careless, but because their executive function skills haven’t fully developed.
The good news? Time management is a skill that can be learned with the right strategies and support.
Reframing the Issue: It’s Not Just Bad Habits
Parents often ask, “Why won’t my child just get ready on time?” or “Why do they keep leaving things until the last minute?”
It’s easy to assume the issue is just a lack of discipline or responsibility. But time management problems often stem from executive function challenges. Executive functions are the mental skills that help us plan, organize, and execute tasks. When these skills are underdeveloped, kids struggle to manage their time effectively—no matter how much they “want” to.
Instead of asking, “Why won’t they just start earlier?” try asking:
✅ Can they accurately sense how much time has passed?
✅ Do they have a clear plan for managing tasks?
✅ Is their brain wired to react to urgency rather than plan ahead?
These questions reveal that poor time management isn’t about attitude—it’s about skills.
The Executive Function Behind Time Management
Time management isn’t just about setting alarms or making schedules. It relies on several key executive functions:
1. Time Awareness (Understanding How Long Tasks Take)
Some kids struggle with time blindness, meaning they don’t naturally sense the passage of time. A five-minute task and a 30-minute task may feel the same to them.
🕒 Why It Happens:
- They don’t have an internal clock that alerts them to time passing.
- They rely on urgency (external deadlines) to push them into action.
- They underestimate or overestimate how long things take.
📌 How to Help:
- Use visual timers (like a sand timer or countdown clock) to make time feel real.
- Have them guess how long a task will take, then compare it to the actual time.
- Build routines with clear time markers: “We leave when the timer hits zero.”
2. Task Initiation (Getting Started Without Last-Minute Stress)
Some kids seem to only start working when the deadline is breathing down their neck. It’s not because they enjoy stress—it’s because their brain doesn’t switch into action mode until the urgency is high.
🔥 Why It Happens:
- Their brain struggles to prioritize long-term rewards over short-term comfort.
- They don’t feel an internal push to start early.
- Without an immediate consequence, the task feels like it can wait.
📌 How to Help:
- Create “fake” deadlines to simulate urgency before the real deadline hits.
- Use if-then plans: “If it’s 4:00 PM, then I start my homework.”
- Break tasks into tiny first steps so starting isn’t overwhelming.
3. Planning and Organization (Mapping Out Tasks and Deadlines)
Many kids know what they need to do—but they don’t know how to structure their time to do it.
🗓 Why It Happens:
- They struggle to break large projects into steps.
- They only see the deadline, not the process.
- They forget to plan backward from due dates.
📌 How to Help:
- Use backward planning: Start with the due date and map out each step leading up to it.
- Have a “preview” of the day each morning—discuss what’s happening and what needs to be done.
- Teach them to ask: “What’s my next step?” instead of just seeing the final goal.
Practical Strategies for Parents
1. Make Time Visible
Many kids need to see time to manage it. Try:
✅ Timers: Digital countdowns or visual timers.
✅ Time blocking: Assign tasks to specific time slots.
✅ Clocks in every room: Teach them to check the time regularly.
2. Use External Cues Instead of Nagging
If you feel like you’re constantly reminding them to get ready, external cues can take over:
✅ Checklists for routines (morning checklist, homework checklist).
✅ Alarm reminders: A sound cue to start getting ready.
✅ Sticky notes in key locations (“Check your backpack before leaving”).
3. Tie Time Management to Real-World Consequences
Kids often don’t see the importance of managing time—until they experience it. Instead of rescuing them from lateness or forgotten assignments, let them experience small, manageable consequences:
✅ If they miss the bus, they find another way to get to school.
✅ If they submit an assignment late, they handle the natural outcome.
This helps them develop internal motivation rather than relying on you to manage their time for them.
What Success Looks Like: A Real-World Example
Let’s meet Sophie, a 13-year-old who was always late for school and forgot deadlines. Her parents tried everything—earlier wake-ups, repeated reminders—but nothing worked.
Then, they shifted their approach:
✅ They used a morning checklist instead of reminding her step-by-step.
✅ They introduced a visual timer to show how long tasks should take.
✅ They let her experience small consequences, like missing her ride to school.
Within weeks, Sophie started waking up before her alarm, packing her bag without being told, and meeting deadlines with less stress. The shift? She learned to own her time instead of relying on external pressure.
The Hopeful Truth: Time Management Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait
If your child struggles with time management, it’s not a sign of irresponsibility or laziness. It’s a sign that their executive function skills need support. With the right strategies, they can learn to manage their time effectively—and reduce the stress it causes for both of you.
A Gentle Next Step: Coaching Can Help
If you’ve tried these strategies and your child still struggles, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Executive function coaching provides personalized tools and strategies to help kids strengthen time management, planning, and organization skills.
📞 Want to learn more? Contact us today for a free discovery call—we’re here to help your child thrive.
