Dyslexia Mom Life™ | Education, Encouragement & Real Life

Does it seem like your child puts off homework, struggles to get started, or waits until the last minute to complete assignments? It’s easy to feel frustrated when you’re constantly reminding, redirecting, and watching the clock. But what if your child isn’t being lazy at all?

In this episode of Dyslexia Mom Life, we’re taking a closer look at procrastination and time management challenges in children with dyslexia. What may look like laziness or a lack of motivation can sometimes be connected to executive functioning difficulties, feeling overwhelmed, fear of failure, or the mental effort required to complete schoolwork.

We’ll explore why getting started, estimating how long a task will take, and staying organized can be especially challenging for some children with dyslexia. More importantly, we’ll talk about practical ways parents can help their children build time management skills, break assignments into manageable steps, and develop routines that encourage independence without constant reminders or power struggles.

As moms, it’s easy to wonder whether we’re doing enough or feel frustrated when the same struggles happen day after day. This is an opportunity to shift our perspective, replace frustration with understanding, and focus on the skills our children need to succeed.

Because sometimes, what looks like procrastination is really a child who needs a different kind of support.

If you’re navigating homework battles, missed deadlines, or the daily struggle to get your child moving, this episode is for you. Let’s learn how to support our children with dyslexia with more understanding, practical strategies, and encouragement.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• Why procrastination doesn’t necessarily mean your child is lazy.
• How dyslexia, executive functioning, and overwhelm can affect time management.
• Why getting started can be harder than finishing a task.
• Practical strategies to help your child manage homework, deadlines, and daily routines.
• How to encourage independence while reducing frustration and mom guilt.

You’re not alone in this journey. Let’s keep learning, growing, and finding ways to help our children thrive.

Subscribe to Dyslexia Mom Life for more conversations about dyslexia, parenting, education, and the real-life challenges and successes of raising children who learn differently.

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When you're a mom and you begin to wonder if your child might have dyslexia, there are so many questions running through your mind. Where do I start? Who can help me get answers? Should I go through the school, seek a private evaluation, or somehow navigate both? And honestly, how am I supposed to know which path is right for my child?

I remember how much there was to learn as we navigated our own journey, and I know how overwhelming it can feel when you're trying to make the best decisions for your child.

Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes of dyslexia evaluations and sharing our family's experience with both public school evaluations and private testing. I'll walk you through what we experienced, what I learned along the way, and what I hope other moms can take away from our journey.

I'm sharing our story because hearing another mom's experience can help you feel less alone and more prepared for the road ahead. I'll keep our family's private information confidential, and while every child's journey is different, I hope our experience gives you helpful perspective as you consider your own options.

So, if you've ever wondered about the differences between public school evaluations and private dyslexia testing, or you're trying to figure out what questions to ask next, this episode is for you. Hit play; let's do this!

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Have you ever sat in a meeting about your child's learning and felt like everyone was speaking a completely different language? You hear terms like IEP, 504 plan, phonological awareness, structured literacy, and specific learning disability—and you're trying to keep up, take notes, and figure out what it all means for your child.

If you've ever walked away from a conversation with more questions than answers, I want you to know you're not alone. When you're navigating dyslexia as a mom, there's so much to learn, and sometimes it feels like you need a whole new vocabulary to understand what's happening.

Today, we're breaking down dyslexia terms, terminology, and acronyms every parent should know. We'll explore some of the common words and abbreviations you may hear during evaluations, school meetings, conversations with educators, and discussions about reading instruction.

My goal isn't to overwhelm you with a dictionary of unfamiliar terms. It's to help you feel more confident asking questions, understanding what professionals are saying, and advocating for your child's needs.

And here's something I want you to remember: you don't have to learn everything overnight. You're learning as you go, and every new term you understand is one more tool to help you navigate your child's journey.

So grab a notebook if you'd like to jot down a few definitions, and let's start decoding the language of dyslexia together!

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What happens when a child begins to believe that dyslexia is who they are?

After years of struggling with reading, writing, homework, or keeping up in school, some children internalize the message that they're "not good at school" or that they're not smart. As parents, it can be heartbreaking to watch—and difficult to know what to say or do.

In this episode of Dyslexia Mom Life, we’re talking about the emotional side of dyslexia and how repeated school struggles can affect a child's confidence, self-esteem, and sense of identity. Nicole will explore how to help your child separate who they are from how they learn, recognize his/her strengths, and develop a more positive view of themselves.

Nicole will also share the role we play as parents in helping your child move beyond labels, navigate frustration and fear of failure, and understand that struggling in one area doesn't define their potential.

Because dyslexia is something your child has—it is not who your child is!

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Are you a mom raising a child with dyslexia who constantly wonders, Am I doing enough?

Maybe you’re researching dyslexia after everyone else has gone to bed. Maybe you’re wondering if your child needs more tutoring, more reading practice, more advocacy, or more support at school. Maybe you feel guilty when you’re frustrated, guilty when you need a break, or worried that you’re missing something your child needs.

Welcome to dyslexia mom guilt—the pressure to do everything possible to help your child succeed.

In this episode of Dyslexia Mom Life, Nicole is honestly sharing about the fear, guilt, and pressure that can come with parenting a child with dyslexia. We’ll explore why moms often feel like they should be doing more, how comparison can fuel that guilt, and why being your child’s advocate doesn’t mean you have to become their therapist, tutor, teacher, and full-time dyslexia expert.

Because supporting a child with dyslexia isn't about doing everything. It's about trusting yourself!

If you've ever wondered whether you're doing enough to support your child with dyslexia, this episode is for you.

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Since before my daughter was born, I can remember buying her books. We read to her when she was young, and as she got older, we would take her to the library and bookstores to spark her reading. There are many books in our house that she has never opened. We know that reading is essential to her success - we live in a reading world.

Now, you wouldn’t know that our daughter didn’t always love to read. She carries a book with her everywhere she goes now - to school, to dinner, in the car... anytime she has downtime, she is reading.

Want to know how that happened? Let’s dig into the 3 steps that led her to become an avid reader.

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Learn how to help your child organize his backpack for a successful school year!

Truthfully, this episode is a great listen any time of the school year as a reminder and reset - we revisit the backpack throughout the school year. I know how hard it is when your child is frustrated and feels defeated with homework, and it starts with knowing where they left it and what is due, so that’s why I’ve put together 3 things you can do right now to help your child organize her backpack for success!

As a parent, helping your child to stay organized isn’t about the work; it’s about helping your child stay emotionally regulated and feeling supported. So if you’re ready to take the unorganized backpack from chaos to calm, grab your favorite journal and let’s dive in!

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Learn parenting tips for parenting during middle school

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To win at school meetings, focus on active listening, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Instead of rambling or presenting information passively, try to frame your thoughts to encourage participation and build consensus. For example, instead of "We need to address this," try "What are your thoughts on how we can best approach this?"

In this episode, Nicole provides 3 winning strategies for your next school meeting.

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One of the things that I learned early on our dyslexia journey is that dyslexia often co-occurs with other difficulties. In other words, most of the time, dyslexia is not the only struggle for dyslexics. I call these co-occurrences, dyslexic sisters. Sisters may include speech, anxiety disorders, developmental language disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The research estimates that 30% of people with dyslexia are also AD/HD.

Both children with dyslexia and AD/HD may be underachieving in school, even though they are often bright and motivated. The goal is to meet their potential. Children with these disorders must be carefully evaluated because treatment for one disorder is different from that for the other. Inaccurate diagnosis can lead to inappropriate intervention and a delay in timely, effective intervention. Early intervention is key for both dyslexia and AD/HD.

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Early in my dyslexia parenting journey, I took every piece of business advice as gold. I was so eager to learn everything I could get my hands on about dyslexia that I rarely stopped to ask, does this make sense for my parenting journey and the best way to help my daughter?

But over the years, I learned a valuable lesson: not all advice is good advice. Some of the most common expert tips can steer you in the wrong direction.

The truth is, every child with dyslexia is different, and what works for one child might not work for another. That’s why your intuition is so important!

Some of my biggest wins have come from doing the exact opposite of what the so-called “rules” say to do.

Today, I’m sharing five pieces of bad dyslexia advice I’m so glad I ignored.

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Early in my dyslexia parenting journey, I took every piece of business advice as gold. I was so eager to learn everything I could get my hands on about dyslexia that I rarely stopped to ask, does this make sense for my parenting journey and the best way to help my daughter?

But over the years, I learned a valuable lesson: not all advice is good advice. Some of the most common expert tips can steer you in the wrong direction.

The truth is, every child with dyslexia is different, and what works for one child might not work for another. That’s why your intuition is so important!

Some of my biggest wins have come from doing the exact opposite of what the so-called “rules” say to do.

Today, I’m sharing five pieces of bad dyslexia advice I’m so glad I ignored.

You Got This!

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We are diving into assistive technology for dyslexia. If your child is struggling with reading, writing, or spelling, you might be wondering:

• What is assistive technology?
• Is it too early to introduce assistive technology?
• Will it help them learn or make them dependent on it?
• What are the best tools, and how do I get started?

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In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that so many of you have reached out about, navigating dyslexia in a private school. Maybe you chose a private school for smaller class sizes, a faith-based education, or a strong academic reputation. But now you’ve realized your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or writing—and you’re wondering, Does this school really have the support my child needs?

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If you’re parenting a child with dyslexia, you already know how important it is to be proactive, especially when it comes to school transitions.

Whether your child is moving from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, or transitioning into a new grade with a new teacher, this process can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—today, we’re breaking it down into simple, actionable steps so you can feel prepared and confident as you navigate this journey.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what to focus on right now, how to plan, and what specific questions to ask to set your child up for success next school year. So grab your coffee or pop in those earbuds while you fold the laundry, and let’s dive in!

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When you’re navigating school struggles, homework battles, and advocating for your child’s needs, it’s easy to let stress take over. But here’s the truth— the number one resource your child needs is not a tutor, an advocate, or a structured reading program. Your child needs you!

Your number one purpose and goal is to put your relationship first and this episode shares ways to put your relationship first, even in the toughest moments.

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Most people think of dyslexia as a noticeable difficulty with reading and writing. But for some students, their intelligence and coping strategies allow them to hide their struggles—sometimes even from themselves. This is what we call stealth dyslexia. Often times for educators and parents struggle to make sense of the fact their very bright student is struggling to read. Stealth students can mask or compensate for their dyslexia.

How does it go unnoticed? What are the signs? And how can we support these students before they burn out?

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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you’re constantly running on empty, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down what the Window of Tolerance is, how it impacts your ability to handle stress, and—most importantly—how you can expand your window to feel more in control of your emotions, your parenting, and your life.

Grab your beverage of choice, take a deep breath, and let’s get started!

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The iceberg is a great way to visualize dyslexia. Above the water, you see the small visible part. Things like difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing. That’s what most people recognize as dyslexia.

But what’s beneath the surface? A range of cognitive differences affect memory, processing speed, organization, and even self-esteem. These hidden struggles can impact a person’s entire life - not just in school but in work, relationships, and everyday tasks.

As a parent raising a child with dyslexia, it is important to realize that the areas you do not see can impact your child and family daily. If you don't recognize the areas under the iceberg, you may look up one day and see you have hit the iceberg and not have a boat (or plan) to get out without a Titanic moment.

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Today we’re talking about something we all experience—setting big New Year’s Resolutions, only to feel guilty when life takes over and they fall to the side. According to research, 80% or more of people give up on their New Year's resolutions by February. So, you are not alone.

But here’s the thing—resolutions aren’t the only way to create meaningful change. Today, we’re throwing out the guilt and talking about a better, more sustainable way to refocus in 2025.

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