Yellow Parachute Blog
Yellow Parachute’s Blog Mission
Our blog mission is to share the research and resources that inform our unique approach to coaching Executive Function Skills, to advocate for neurodiversity, and to uplift students, parents, educators, and leaders.
Rethinking Student Voice and Choice and What it Means to be a Learner
“You’re never going to feel like it,” offers Mel Robbins in reference to working out. I’ll add: “But you’ll never regret it when you’re done. And it makes you stronger, too.” How did we make this drastic discussion [...]
Slowing Down to Avoid a Wreck and Find Resilience
It’s a good thing I slowed down to 35 mph last week because we encountered some major bumps in our familial road. In fact, let’s call it a washed-out road, a closure through which we narrowly avoided barreling. [...]
A Dirty Word for the Holiday Season: Checklist. (It’s Not What You Think, I Promise.)
We’re in the midst of the Holiday Season, which is wonderful and terrible at the same time. I hope you don’t mind me saying that—I’ll explain. I mean that when we’re caught in “the rush of it all,” [...]
Thanksgiving Gratitude
We are so grateful for your partnership. Wishing you a holiday filled with goodness with your family and loved ones.
Wherever You Go: There You Are.
I’ll say it once again: Life moves fast. We click along at a furious pace, pulling in and out of our driveways, shuffling and shuttling our kids, juggling carpools, checking on homework, fumbling through parent portals, snapping our [...]
How Knowing Where You Are Helps You Get Where You Want to Go
As ever-adventurous neighborhood travelers, my daughter and I attempted a new shortcut to her friend’s house this weekend. We also like to sing a little in the car, and we anticipated our accomplishment with a melodious mix of [...]
Exploring Core Values With Rachel Moran, LMFT
That SAT score, that perfect college, that flawless photo of our dinner on Instagram: when did everything become so external to ourselves? It’s almost as though we aspire to be the data point of ourselves, rather than simply [...]
How to Heal the Heartbreak of Underachieving Children
Each of us has seasons of increased and decreased productivity in school, work, and life. When we prioritize time and bandwidth, some tasks naturally get more time and attention, while others get less. We choose our battles, enter [...]
Tell Your Story from the Inside Out With Lisa Boes
With all the external pressure that students face surrounding their college search, it can be difficult for them to know what kind of educational environment best fits them. Standardized tests, extracurriculars, the prestige of certain institutions over others—all [...]
How To Foster Focus and Build Meaning Into Your Kids’ Lives
Dear Parents, I wrote to your kids last week. If you haven’t shared with them my letter, please do. Forward. Or print it out. Tape it to their doors. Tell them to read it. Try the suggestions I [...]
Fostering Focus and Building Meaning Part II: Lessons from Your Kids’ Favorite Teacher
Does your kid have a favorite teacher? Maybe even teachers, plural? They’re amazing, aren’t they? The work your kid will put in for a favorite teacher...it’s remarkable, magic, and inspiring. I had favorite teachers. Still remember ‘em. I [...]
How To Foster Focus and Build Meaning Into Your Kids’ Lives Part I
Dear Parents, I wrote to your kids last week. If you haven’t shared with them my letter, please do. Forward. Or print it out. Tape it to their doors. Tell them to read it. Try the suggestions I [...]
Getting Rid of Squirrel-Brain: How to Work Smarter Not Harder
Dear Generation Z, aka iGens, aka “teenagers,” I’m worried about you. I know, I’m a worrier. But this world isn’t like it was when I was your age, or even like it was ten years ago, when I [...]
The Best and Worst Ways to Battle Anxiety
There aren’t enough capital letters on the keyboard to express my concern for the way I see anxiety shredding the confidence and undermining the beautiful, unique, God-given gifts of our youth. I could weep. And I do. But [...]
How To Do The Things You Don’t Like Doing (And How YP Can Help)
Ok, so when it comes to getting to the gym, I’m pretty disciplined. But I’m disciplined because I enjoy it—the adrenaline, the focus, the sense of accomplishment. I’ve just always been that way. And because I love working-out-hard, [...]
One Family’s (Almost) Decade With Yellow Parachute
You may recall our friend and professional organizer Suzanne van Dyck from our post on letting go of the clutter in your life. Suzanne has also been a proud Yellow Parachute parent since 2009, turning to YP’s ACT [...]
How Talking To Yourself Helps You (And Your Kids) Learn
Do you talk to yourself? I do. Like when I’m making a list of things to pack for the cabin, helping a student with a science question on the ACT, or making sure my grocery list is complete. [...]
Celebrate Success With Jennifer and Evelyn Zick
When Jennifer Zick’s first child was diagnosed with ADHD in first grade, Jennifer was scared. “As first-time parents, the diagnosis was overwhelming. We didn’t want her labeled or limited, but we realized some things would be harder for [...]
