WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUT

If you’ve been worried about your child’s ability to focus or think critically, I want you to know you’re not alone. In this kickoff episode, I’m laying the foundation for our summer series by helping you understand what’s actually behind these struggles—and why the solution starts with how we live day to day, not just what we teach.

IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• Why are more kids struggling with attention and problem-solving
• How digital distractions and school systems play a role
• The three questions I ask every parent to consider before they try to “fix” anything
• What to expect from this podcast and the upcoming written series

Take five minutes to think through these questions and write your answers down:

• What do I do at home that helps or hurts my child’s ability to focus?
• Am I modeling the kind of focus I want them to have—or are they copying my habits?
• Why does building these skills matter for their future?

WHAT’S COMING NEXT

Next week, I’ll walk you through the first practical strategy for building focus at home—even if your child is easily distracted or resistant to routines. These are realistic, everyday tools that fit into real life.

Stay connected through my Substacks:

• Decision Tree Learning — For homeschool families
• Writing Career Coach — For writers building craft and business
• Learning Resources Online — For entrepreneurs and mentors
• Building The Balanced Life — For small business owners managing life and work

00:00 – Welcome to the Decision Tree Learning Podcast

00:04 – Why so many kids today are struggling to focus and think critically

00:55 – The real-world challenges families are facing

01:18 – Focus and critical thinking are not traits—they’re skills

01:36 – Introducing the summer podcast + Substack series

02:10 – What’s inside the free and paid versions

02:36 – This week’s reflection exercise: 3 questions to ask yourself

03:18 – Why your “why” matters more than any strategy

03:38 – What’s coming next in the series