Task Paralysis
Most families with children going back to school soon are dreading one thing: homework. Sometime it feels like it takes so long to be completed, there’s always a battle just to get it started, and it seems like your child is always procrastinating. This feels like it can even lead to your child isolating deeper into their room and hiding away, building tension, and even seems to seep into procrastinating doing basic chores or maybe even maintaining hygiene. I am sure that your child is intelligent and does fantastic on their assignments, and this causes you to feel puzzled. They are so smart, so why is it such a battle to just do the homework? A phenomenon that can potentially help explain this procrastination is “task paralysis”.
Task paralysis can affect anyone, but the kinds of people most likely to struggle are those with depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Task paralysis stems from one either feeling that the task is too demanding and overwhelming or that it must be done perfectly. Either way, half the battle is just getting started.
If the task feels too overwhelming, help or encourage your child to break it down into smaller parts. Once they start to accomplish some of the smaller parts, it can increase motivation to finish the task at hand. If your child struggles with wanting the project to be perfect, remind your child to be kind to their minds, and set realistic goals with understanding that there will likely be some room for growth or fixing mistakes after the first draft – and this is okay and normal!
Some other things to help with procrastination include limiting access to electronics, working in a clean space with limited distractions and a table, and maintaining a work schedule. Perhaps even looking into medication management if there are other related issues such as panic attacks or issues with concentration. Sometimes kids need a power nap and a snack to gain motivation to do more work after school hours, sometimes kids need to jump straight into homework after school while their brain is still in work mode. Whatever the case, collaboration and compassion are key.
Work together to come up with a plan that works for both of you. Sometimes a child may want external reminders to do work to help them stay motivated and, sometimes, they want their own to-do list type of schedule and the extra reminders just cause them more stress. And remember: they are not lazy for experiencing task paralysis or wanting to procrastinate. Even adults can put off yard work or spring cleaning! Sometimes life is a lot, and especially for our young brains that are still in the works of reaching full development, dealing with the whirlwind of emotions and trying to figure themselves out. No matter the reason, task paralysis can be dealt with. If your family is struggling to collaborate and find a good schedule, reach out for assistance sooner rather than later to get back on track!
Ciera Canaday, LCSW