A shared language for calm, confidence, focus & executive functioning—at home, in schools, and in sessions.
When Parenting Feels Like a Daily Emergency, Start Here.
Happy Core is practical support for families living with ADHD, anxiety, learning differences (like dyslexia), and low confidence—so homework gets done with less conflict, big feelings settle faster, and your child builds real independence.
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Calm-down skills your child can learn and repeat
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Homework + routine tools for starting, staying with, and finishing tasks
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Parent scripts for the moments that usually explode
Homeschool families: skip the scroll—jump to “Homeschool Start Plan” ↓
20-SECOND TOUR
If it feels like you’re doing everything… and it’s still hard
Routines, rewards, consequences, deep breaths—most parents have tried it all.
When your child gets overwhelmed, the ability to use skills disappears. That’s when you see shutdown, refusal, perfectionism, “I can’t,” or a full-blown blow-up over something small.
That usually means your child needs different tools—not more effort from you.
Help me find the right starting point →
Our Tools
Our Stories
Our Letters
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Built by a psychologist. Shaped by real families.
What’s the hardest part right now?
Pick the one that feels closest. You’ll get a clear place to start.
"Homework Is a
Nightly Power Struggle"
You see:
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Stalling, bargaining, “after this one thing…”
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Tears/anger when you insist
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You become the task manager
What’s happening:
“This is usually a stress-freeze, not defiance.”
Why it shows up:
“Starting feels like a cliff.” / “Too many steps at once.”
Try this tonight:
“Name the first physical action: open the laptop, open the binder, write the date.”
Next best support:
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Homework Hero Workshop (task initiation + structure)
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Happy Core Program (focus: regulation + follow-through)
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If school pressure is fueling it: More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Teacher
Common in ADHD + anxiety (especially when tasks feel evaluative).
Morning routine =
chaos + yelling
You see:
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Can’t get dressed/eat/pack without 20 reminders
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Everyone is late and upset
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You feel like a drill sergeant before 8am
What’s happening:
“This is usually a transition crash, not laziness.”
Why it shows up:
“Time blindness” / “Too many micro-decisions.”
Try this tonight:
“Set out a ‘launch pad’ with only 3 items: clothes, backpack, breakfast choice.”
Next best support:
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Happy Core Program (focus: transitions + routines)
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More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Parent (scripts + home plan)
Very common in ADHD profiles—mornings demand fast sequencing.
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After school meltdowns (even though they “seem fine” at school)
You see:
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Explosions over tiny things
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Crying, rage, or shutdown the second they get home
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They say “leave me alone” but cling five minutes later
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What’s happening:
“This is usually a nervous system drop, not attitude.”
Why it shows up:
“Masking all day” / “Delayed stress release.”
Try this tonight:
“Do a 10-minute ‘no questions’ decompression: snack + quiet + movement (no talking).”
Next best support:
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Happy Core Program (focus: regulation + repair)
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G.O.A.T. Stories (normalizes inner experience + gives language)
Common in high-masking ADHD/anxiety kids—home is the safe container.
Perfectionism paralysis (won’t start unless it’ll be perfect)
You see:
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Erases/restarts repeatedly
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Takes 90 minutes to write 3 sentences
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Panics about grades or being judged
What’s happening:
“This is usually control-seeking, not being dramatic.”
Why it shows up:
“Uncertainty feels unsafe” / “Mistakes feel like identity.”
Try this tonight:
“Do a ‘Messy First Draft’ rule: first version must be intentionally imperfect.”
Next best support:
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Happy Core Program (focus: uncertainty tolerance + self-worth tools)
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If school feedback triggers it: More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Teacher
Common in anxious achievers and dyslexia/ADHD kids who’ve been corrected a lot.
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They shut down
when you talk about school
You see:
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Silence, shrugging, “I don’t know”
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Anger when you ask questions
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Avoids anything school-related
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What’s happening:
“This is usually shame-protection, not disrespect.”
Why it shows up:
“Too many failures stored in memory” / “Feels like an interrogation.”
Try this tonight:
“Replace questions with a statement: ‘I’m on your team. We’ll make a plan together.’”
Next best support:
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G.O.A.T. Stories (connection + language)
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More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Parent (how to respond + reduce pressure)
Common after repeated struggles—kids stop talking when they feel behind.
School project
is done… but never turned in
You see:
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Completed work disappears in backpack
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Missed submissions tank grades
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Teachers think they’re careless
What’s happening:
“This is usually an ‘end-step gap,’ not irresponsibility.”
Why it shows up:
“Working memory drop at the finish line” / “Organization breakdown.”
Try this tonight:
“Create a single ‘turn-in spot’ + a 10-second photo proof before it goes in the bag.”
Next best support:
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Homework Hero Workshop (systems + handoff routines)
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More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Teacher (explain the pattern + supports)
Very common in ADHD—finishing and handoff are different brain jobs.
"Homework Is a
Nightly Power Struggle"
You see:
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S
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Rage/panic when it’s time to turn it off
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Negotiations that never end
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Device becomes the only calm tool
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talling, bargaining, “after this one thing…”
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Tears/anger when you insist
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You become the task manager
What’s happening:
“This is usually a stress-freeze, not defiance.”
Why it shows up:
“Starting feels like a cliff.” / “Too many steps at once.”
Try this tonight:
“Name the first physical action: open the laptop, open the binder, write the date.”
Next best support:
-
Homework Hero Workshop (task initiation + structure)
-
Happy Core Program (focus: regulation + follow-through)
-
If school pressure is fueling it: More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Teacher
Common in ADHD + anxiety (especially when tasks feel evaluative).
Morning routine =
chaos + yelling
You see:
-
Can’t get dressed/eat/pack without 20 reminders
-
Everyone is late and upset
-
You feel like a drill sergeant before 8am
What’s happening:
“This is usually a transition crash, not laziness.”
Why it shows up:
“Time blindness” / “Too many micro-decisions.”
Try this tonight:
“Set out a ‘launch pad’ with only 3 items: clothes, backpack, breakfast choice.”
Next best support:
-
Happy Core Program (focus: transitions + routines)
-
More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Parent (scripts + home plan)
Very common in ADHD profiles—mornings demand fast sequencing.
After school meltdowns (even though they “seem fine” at school)
You see:
-
Explosions over tiny things
-
Crying, rage, or shutdown the second they get home
-
They say “leave me alone” but cling five minutes later
What’s happening:
“This is usually a nervous system drop, not attitude.”
Why it shows up:
“Masking all day” / “Delayed stress release.”
Try this tonight:
“Do a 10-minute ‘no questions’ decompression: snack + quiet + movement (no talking).”
Next best support:
-
Happy Core Program (focus: regulation + repair)
-
G.O.A.T. Stories (normalizes inner experience + gives language)
Common in high-masking ADHD/anxiety kids—home is the safe container.
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“I can’t” / instant quitting (even on things they can do)
You see:
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Refuses before trying
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Melts down when corrected
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Avoids anything that feels hard
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What’s happening:
“This is usually threat-protection, not stubbornness.”
Why it shows up:
“Fear of getting it wrong” / “Confidence built on performance.”
Try this tonight:
“Switch the goal: ‘Just start for 2 minutes.’ Then stop and celebrate the start.”
Next best support:
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Happy Core Program (focus: confidence + negative self-talk tools)
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G.O.A.T. Stories (shame → humor → buy-in)
Very common when ADHD + anxiety overlap—effort can feel dangerous.
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“I can’t” / instant quitting (even on things they can do)
You see:
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“You hate me!” / “I’m stupid!”
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Rage or tears when you redirect
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Spirals that take forever to calm
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What’s happening:
“This is usually a threat response, not ‘overreacting.’”
Why it shows up:
“Rejection sensitivity” / “Correction feels like danger.”
Try this tonight:
“Lead with safety: ‘You’re safe. We can fix this together.’ Then one tiny correction.”
Next best support:
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Happy Core Program (focus: regulation + repair scripts)
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More Than Behavior™ Letter: Dear Parent (language to reduce escalation)
Common in ADHD/anxiety kids—especially sensitive, fast-feeling brains.
“I can’t” / instant quitting (even on things they can do)
You see:
-
Refuses before trying
-
Melts down when corrected
-
Avoids anything that feels hard
What’s happening:
“This is usually threat-protection, not stubbornness.”
Why it shows up:
“Fear of getting it wrong” / “Confidence built on performance.”
Try this tonight:
“Switch the goal: ‘Just start for 2 minutes.’ Then stop and celebrate the start.”
Next best support:
-
Happy Core Program (focus: confidence + negative self-talk tools)
-
G.O.A.T. Stories (shame → humor → buy-in)
Very common when ADHD + anxiety overlap—effort can feel dangerous.
Help me find the right starting point →
Section 5: “Choose your starting path” (3-path chooser) This replaces a lot of your repetitive soothing language with clarity. Path 1 — Start small (today) Best for: “We need relief now.” Includes: one tool + one script + one routine CTA: Give me the quick start Path 2 — Build skills (4–6 weeks) Best for: anxiety + homework + EF CTA: Explore the Happy Core Program Path 3 — Align school + home (this month) Best for: meetings, accommodations, misunderstanding CTA: Explore the Letters This is where you can also tuck “Homeschool families” naturally: “Works at home and in learning environments—traditional school or homeschool.”
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What you’ll actually get here
Start with one piece (a book, a letter, or a program). Everything is designed to work on its own—and connect when you’re ready.
Kid tools
Short, repeatable skills your child can learn through stories, practice, or coaching—so they can calm faster, start tasks, and handle hard moments with more control.
Parent support
Simple explanations + scripts for what to say (and what not to say) when things get stuck—so you’re not guessing in the moment.
A bridge to school
( learning environment)
Clear language that helps teachers, tutors, co-ops, and caregivers understand what’s going on and how to support your child—so home and learning don’t feel like two different planets.
A GENTLE PLACE TO BEGIN
Choose the format that fits your home right now
There’s no “right” order. Just a place that feels manageable right now.
You don’t need to choose perfectly.
You can start small, switch paths, or combine tools over time.
Everything here is designed to work together—at your pace.
Ages 8-13
Stories that lower shame and open buy-in
Humor + characters give kids a way to talk about what’s happening without feeling “wrong.” Tools land better when a child feels understood.
Best fit if:
Your child feels “different,” defensive, or shut down—and you want something gentle that still teaches real skills.
The Secret Society of G.O.A.T.™
Ages 5-12
Practical tools for calm and follow-through.
Practical routines, regulation skills, and executive function supports taught in kid language and practiced in everyday moments.
Best fit if:
Homework causes battles, transitions explode, or your child avoids tasks they can do.
Happy Core Program
Homework Hero Workshop
Ages 5-18+
Make behavior make sense—to everyone involved.
When school conversations feel exhausting and parenting feels misaligned - you need language that creates collaboration fast.
Best fit if:
Accommodations • teacher alignment • “they think my kid is lazy”
More Than Behavior Letters™
Best fit if:
Your child feels “different,” defensive, or shut down—and you want something gentle that still teaches real skills.
Self-advocacy for teens (especially college-bound)
Tools + scripts for explaining needs, planning routines, and building independence without shame spirals.
Best fit if:
high school → college • late diagnosis • motivation + follow-through
The Advocacy Lab,
Decode & Do Workshop
Ages 13-18+
Age ranges are guidelines. We’ll help you choose the best starting point based on skills, not just birthdays.
WHAT CHANGES
Homeschool families: here’s the simplest way to start
Homeschooling can hide struggles until they explode—because you’re both “teacher” and “safe person.” This path is designed to build structure without power struggles.
3-step homeschool plan
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Pick the hardest friction point (starting work, transitions, perfectionism, anxiety)
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Add one regulation tool + one routine tweak
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Use a “same words every time” script to reduce negotiation
TRUST & PROOF
Built in the real world.
Shared on the global stage.
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Created by a psychologist + ADHD Coach (and mom of a neurodivergent kid)
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Designed for home use (and homeschool rhythms)
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Practical tools you can repeat without a perfect day
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Piloted with students at The dePaul School for Dyslexia
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Presented at the International ADHD Conference (2025)
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Designed for use across home, school, and clinical settings
QUICK START
FAQ