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Navigating Homework Battles, Understanding Executive Function & Helping Teens Succeed :: Dr. Matthew Housson [Ep 568]
Don't Mom Alone Podcast
04/13/26
•51m
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Why does homework and school in general turn into a battle in so many homes?
In this insightful conversation, Dr. Matthew Housson breaks down what’s really going on when kids struggle with homework—and why it’s often not a discipline issue at all. Instead, many challenges come down to executive function skills—things like planning, focus, emotional regulation, and the ability to start and finish tasks.
We talk about how brain development impacts motivation, why some kids struggle to shift into “low dopamine” tasks like homework, and what parents can do to support their child without taking over.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated, confused, or even discouraged trying to help your child succeed academically, this episode will give you clarity, practical tools, and encouragement—you’re not alone, and there is a better way forward. In this episode we talk about:
- When behavior is developmentally normal vs. when to seek help
- The key signs of depression in teens (including irritability)
- Why a full profile is often more helpful than a diagnosis
- Practical tools to make homework time smoother
- Executive function skills are learned and developed over time
- You can’t rush development—but you can support it
- Website: Home - The Housson Center
- Facebook: The Housson Center
- Instagram: The Housson Center (@thehoussoncenter)
Links Mentioned:
- Resources from The Housson Center (books & websites)
- Definitions of different childhood challenges (parent resource)
Related Episodes:
- How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88}
- School Choice Series: Public School Options with Emily Fenlaw:: [Ep 561]
- Grace Based Discipline for Kids with Unique Needs :: Karis Murray [Ep 237]
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- In The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share more than 40 years of lived experience raising a son with profound disabilities. With honesty and faith, they speak to the strain on marriage, the weight of finances, the sting of unkind comments, and the grief of a journey you didn’t choose, but also the joy you didn’t expect. If you’re walking this road—or love someone who is—this book offers steady encouragement for the long journey ahead. To learn more about The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, visit moodypublishers.com or find it wherever books are sold.
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Previous Episode
What do you do when life doesn’t just hand you lemons—but keeps throwing them at your face?
Today, Kirby Kelly joins us to share about her new book, The Fabric of Hope. After unexpectedly losing her mom, Kirby turned to Scripture to find hope in a season that felt unbearable. With a Master’s in Theology, she began searching for truth and hope right in the middle of her pain.
When life unravels, it can feel impossible to believe that anything good could come from it. In those moments, it’s easy to begin seeing God as the enemy in our situation. But God is not the author of evil—He is the redeemer of it. And when the hits keep coming, that truth can be incredibly hard to hold onto.
This episode is a reminder to stay tethered to Him through both praise and lament—to remain connected and fight for that connection, even when it’s difficult.
Be encouraged today as Kirby shares her personal story of pain and how God is with us in all things.
Connect with Kirby Kelly:
- Website: Kirby Kelly
- Facebook: Kirby Kelly
- Instagram: Kirby Kelly (@kirbyisaboss)
- Finding Freedom from Habitual Sin :: Kirby Kelly [Ep 469]
- Walking Through Grief: Coping, Comforting Kids, and Embodied Emotions :: Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague [Ep 517]
- When Moms Walk through Grief :: Stacey Thacker {Ep 76}
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Next Episode
Today on the podcast, I’m joined by comedian Tim Hawkins, who has been making people laugh for over three decades. With years of life, family, and stage experience behind him, Tim brings humor and perspective to everything from parenting to personal growth.
We dive into his family life, including the story of how he met his wife, and reflect on the journey of raising kids, including the rewarding moment of watching them grow into adults. Tim shares his thoughts on parenting, emphasizing that there’s no perfect formula. While many feel pressure to follow methods and systems, he and his wife chose not to get bogged down in outcomes, trusting that God is big enough to guide the process.
We also get into the realities of raising kids, like what to do when they’re constantly wrestling. For Tim, one of the biggest factors in raising kids well is simple but powerful: proximity. Being present matters.
Tim opens up about his own creative journey, including a season where he hit a wall, struggled to write, and had to step back and reset. He shares how his comedy process has evolved over the years and how life itself fuels his material.
His approach to comedy is simple and honest: live your life, take notes, and tell strangers. The more you can relate to people, the more successful your message becomes. Whether it’s disappointment, joy, or frustration, the best material comes from real passion and lived experience. Join us today for a great (and hilarious) conversation.
Connect with Tim Hawkins:
- Website: Tim Hawkins
- Facebook: Tim Hawkins
- Instagram: Tim Hawkins (@timhawkinscomic)
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- When Friendships Get Messy: Healing, Humor and Finding Your Chicken-Fried Women :: Melissa Radke [Ep 519]
- From Blockbusters to Blanket Forts: Patricia Heaton on Parenting, Faith, and Comedy [Ep 521]
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