Welcome back to our Summer Focus-Building Series here on Decision Tree Learning, the Podcast. Today, I’m talking about a phrase nearly every parent hears: “I can’t do this.” Often, this isn’t defiance—it’s a lack of problem-solving strategies.

In this episode, I’ll share one powerful mindset shift called the Three Tries Rule to help your child move from shutdown to persistence.

• Teach your child the Three Tries Rule to build resilience
• Model problem-solving by narrating your own process
• Coach your child to try multiple approaches before asking for help
• Use everyday frustrations as growth opportunities

I'll be sharing additional support strategies and simple AI-powered coaching tools in upcoming articles on Substack.

Want immediate access to the full toolkit and prompts? Join the annual membership at decisiontreelearning.substack.com and use the code LEARN50 for 50% off

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Follow the full Summer Focus-Building Series by subscribing free at

decisiontreelearning.substack.com

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• Instagram: @tiffanycolter
• X (Twitter): @TiffanyColter
• LinkedIn: tiffanycolter

Episode Overview

Have you ever given your child an instruction, only to have them forget it two minutes later, like they never heard you? You’re not alone. In this episode, I explain why many kids aren’t being defiant—they’re just overwhelmed. Their brains struggle to process steps, stay organized, and act on real-time directions.

But there’s good news: these processing skills can be built, and summer is the perfect time to do it.

What You’ll Learn

• Recognize the real reason your child seems like they aren’t listening—it’s often a processing issue, not defiance
• Break your instructions into two or three simple, repeatable steps
• Ask your child to repeat those steps back to strengthen memory and sequencing
• Model clear thinking by saying your multi-step tasks out loud as you do them
• Create a calm, focused routine that rewires your child’s brain for better follow-through

Try This Today

Here’s one strategy I recommend parents start with:

• Give instructions in 2–3 simple steps
• Ask your child to repeat the steps back
• Say your own tasks out loud so they can see how you mentally organize

For example: “First I’m washing the vegetables, then I’ll boil the pasta, then I’ll set the table.” This kind of modeling helps your child learn how to break down what they hear into actions they can manage.

Want More Support?

Throughout June, I’ll be sharing more tools, focus strategies, and guided prompts over on my Substack:

decisiontreelearning.substack.com

If you’re ready for the full toolkit—including my focus and processing printable and easy AI prompts—join the annual membership and use the code LEARN50 to get 50% off.

Follow me on socials:

• TikTok: @tiffanycolter
• Instagram: @tiffanycolter
• X (formerly Twitter): @TiffanyColter
• LinkedIn: tiffanycolter

Welcome to the first episode of our Summer Focus Building series. In this short but powerful episode, we explore how the fast-paced, always-on environment is creating mental overload for kids and how you can help them reset.

You’ll learn to reduce your child’s cognitive load using one simple, doable strategy: setting up a focus zone at home. Plus, you'll get a sneak peek into new tools and AI-based prompts that guide your child toward deeper concentration and mental clarity.

This summer can be a turning point—not just for your child, but for your whole family.

• You’ve noticed your child struggling to concentrate
• You want a practical, step-by-step approach to build better focus
• You're looking to use the summer months to reset and strengthen learning habits

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to:

• Understand the hidden causes of your child’s overwhelm
• Set up a “Focus Zone” at home to reduce distractions
• Use modeling to encourage focused behavior
• Access upcoming tools and AI prompts to support focus-building
• Start small and build lasting habits over the summer

• Subscribe free for weekly articles + tools: ➡️ DecisionTreeLearning.substack.com
• Want done-for-you AI tools and prompts? Join the annual paid membership. Use code LEARN50 to get 50% off

For more tools and encouragement, follow me on other platforms:

• TikTok: @tiffanycolter
• Instagram: @tiffanycolter
• X (Twitter): @TiffanyColter
• LinkedIn: Tiffany Colter

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to check out my other Substacks for more targeted support:

• For Writers: WritingCareerCoach.substack.com
• For Entrepreneurs: LearningResourcesOnline.substack.com
• For Small Business Owners Balancing Life & Work: BuildingTheBalancedLife.substack.com

Coming Up Next:

In the next episode, we’ll dig into specific tools and prompts you can use to stretch your child’s focus, without battles or burnout.

Let this be the summer your child learns how to slow down, think deeply, and thrive.

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

ACTION STEP FOR THIS WEEK

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?

These answers will help guide everything we do next.

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

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

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

Resources I Mentioned in This Episode

Homeschool Basics Course – A low-cost course to help you build a repeatable, sustainable homeschooling structure that works.

Homeschool Mom Helper Coaching Package – My 14-week personalized coaching program to reduce burnout and help you create a system that fits your family.

Summary

Are you trying to make every lesson perfect for every child, every day? That mindset is one of the fastest paths to burnout. In this episode of The Decision Tree Learning Podcast, I’m talking to homeschoolers, special ed teachers, and K–12 educators who are exhausted from trying to meet everyone’s needs all the time.

I’ll show you why this happens—and give you practical tools to build a more balanced, effective approach that works for your students and your life.

In this episode, I show you how to:

• Stop over-customizing every lesson and simplify your daily workload
• Use family-style subjects to teach one concept to multiple children at once
• Build a master weekly schedule so you don’t have to start from scratch every week
• Rotate one-on-one time fairly across your children
• Implement “autonomy days” so kids can work independently on meaningful review
• Reuse learning templates to cut down on daily decision-making
• Focus on what your kids are learning, not just how they’re showing it
• Ask for help if you’re stuck—don’t try to do everything alone

Here’s What to Do Next

• Choose one subject you can teach family-style this week
• Create a rough weekly schedule that repeats
• Designate one day for autonomy-based learning
• Pick one assignment template you can use across multiple subjects
• Start small—adjust one thing instead of everything
• If you’re overwhelmed, explore the Homeschool Basics Course or coaching options

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

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Welcome to the podcast

00:30 – Why trying to personalize everything causes burnout

01:00 – How to simplify with family-style learning

01:59 – Build a master schedule that works week after week

02:27 – Introduce autonomy days to reset your week

02:56 – Learn more about my resources to support you

03:56 – Final encouragement and action steps

In this episode of The Decision Tree Learning Podcast, I dig into one of the toughest challenges in homeschooling—how to teach multiple children at different grade levels without feeling like you’re constantly failing someone.

Whether you’re working with neurotypical learners, children with ADHD, or kids with IEPs, trying to give each child the education they need (without losing your sanity) can feel impossible. I’ve lived it—and I’m sharing what actually works.

From using color-coded schedules to planning unified lessons across age groups, this episode is packed with practical strategies I’ve used to run a homeschool with structure, peace, and progress. You don’t need to clone yourself. You need a better system.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

• Create a staggered schedule so no child starts at the same time
• Anchor your day with a consistent routine to signal it’s time to learn
• Plan blocks of time for one-on-one instruction—don’t multitask teaching
• Use color-coded categories to balance your time and energy
• Present one topic to all grade levels, adjusting assignments by ability
• Let older kids help shape projects to deepen engagement
• Build your weekly and monthly plans in advance—don’t improvise
• Focus on structure with young learners to build lasting habits
• Bring in outside help when a child’s needs exceed your capacity
• Stop trying to “do it all”—prioritize what moves learning forward

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Homeschooling Challenges

02:58 Creating Effective Schedules

05:53 Implementing Daily Routines

08:46 Engaging Multiple Grade Levels

12:09 Fostering Independence in Learning

14:58 Planning and Organization for Success

Subscribe for Weekly Encouragement

Each episode is here to help you homeschool with clarity, structure, and confidence—no matter how many kids or grade levels you teach.

Substack Communities

Stay connected through my newsletters:

• 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

Want to Go Deeper?

Ready to build a homeschool that works?

1. Grab a copy of Your Homeschool Blueprint—a practical guide to building a schedule that works, planning lessons that matter, and leading your homeschool with clarity and confidence. It’s packed with templates, tools, and strategies you can use today.
2. Apply for my Homeschool Mom Helper Coaching Package—a 14-week personalized coaching experience designed to help you create sustainable systems, navigate multiple grade levels, and homeschool with peace and purpose. You’ll get tailored support, weekly accountability, and a custom roadmap that fits your family’s unique needs.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe and share this episode with a fellow homeschool parent who needs permission to simplify and a plan that...

In this first episode of The Decision Tree Learning Podcast, I share the heart behind launching this show for homeschool families—whether you’re new to homeschooling or a veteran looking for fresh encouragement.

You’ll hear how this podcast was born out of frustration, faith, and a deep desire to support families in making confident, informed decisions about education. I’ll walk you through how clarity often follows action, why mentorship matters, and what you can expect from future episodes.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why this podcast exists—and how it can help you confidently take the next step, wherever you are in your homeschool journey.

• Why taking imperfect action leads to real clarity
• How God leads through obedience, not always full understanding
• The difference between information and wisdom in parenting and education
• What to expect from future episodes (and how they’ll support you)
• Why you don’t need to do this alone—mentorship matters
• Encouragement to step into your calling as a homeschool parent

00:00 Introduction to Homeschooling Doubts

02:17 Overcoming the Fear of Not Teaching Enough

08:51 Engaging Reluctant Learners

14:08 Addressing Parental Burnout and Isolation

Subscribe for Weekly Encouragement

Each episode is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and community as you walk out your homeschool calling.

Substack Communities

Stay connected through my Substacks:

• DecisionTreeLearning.substack.com — For parents and homeschooling families
• WritingCareerCoach.substack.com — For writers building both craft and business
• LearningResourcesOnline.substack.com — For entrepreneurs and mentors
• BuildingTheBalancedLife.substack.com — For small business owners managing life and work

Want to go deeper?

I offer limited 1:1 coaching spots for homeschool parents and faith-driven entrepreneurs. These sessions are designed to give you clarity and practical steps for your specific goals.

Apply for coaching here

Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe and share with a fellow homeschool parent who needs encouragement and direction. See you next week!

#education #parenting