Classroom Matters

Is "overfunctioning" the parenting word of the moment? It might be.

From therapy offices to parenting podcasts to dinner table conversations, more and more parents are asking the same question: am I doing too much for my kids?

I've been sitting with this question for a while, both as a parent coach and as a parent who has been there herself. The result is my latest blog post--an honest, slightly confessional look at what overfunctioning really is, why we do it, and what small shifts can actually make a difference.

The Invisible Load: Confessions of an Overfunctioning Parent — Classroom Matters There is no clean line between supporting your child and doing too much for them. But awareness is a start.

Loving this podcast from Understood.org

Decisions, decisions: ADHD and the trap of analysis paralysis Why does ADHD make decisions feel impossible sometimes? Overthinking, fear of regret, and perfectionism might be keeping you stuck.

Feeling grateful to be featured in Berkeleyside and in !! 🙏

https://www.berkeleyside.org/2026/09/02/berkeley-entrepreneurs-help-kids-learn-to-learn

We couldn't have said it better:

When caregivers respond with clarity and compassion, rather than fear or frustration, their kids’ behavior begins to shift too.

Check out: The Science & Power of Parent Coaching

The Science & Power of Parent Coaching Parent coaching for ADHD includes brain-based guidance on homework, mornings, conflict, and more for neurodivergent children.

🧠 Are you living on autopilot?

Most of us are — and according to neuroscientist Adrian Owen, that's exactly the problem.

Owen has spent decades researching executive function — the part of your brain that controls planning, attention, decision-making, and yes, even understanding what other people are thinking. And his findings might surprise you.

It's not your IQ that predicts how well you'll navigate life. It's your executive function. And the single biggest thing you can do to improve it? Think about your thinking.

Not brain training apps. Not productivity hacks. Just intentional, conscious awareness of where you're directing your attention — and why.

This resonates deeply with the work we do at Classroom Matters. So much of what we help students and families with comes down to exactly this: building the habit of pausing, reflecting, and making conscious choices rather than just reacting.

One of our favorite lines from the article? A researcher who never answers his son's questions directly — instead asking, "How do you think you could figure that out?" And 100% of the time, his son comes up with the answer. Not because he couldn't. Because it was just easier not to try. 💡

Sound like anyone you know?

👇 Give this a read — it's worth it.

🔗 How to Think About Thinking — Nautilus

🧠 ADHD and You — Summer Workshop for Students!

Having ADHD can be amazing. It can also be frustrating, confusing, and a lot to navigate. Sound familiar?

This workshop is designed for students — a space where they can learn how their fantastic, elastic brain actually works, discover tools and strategies that work with their brain instead of against it, and build the self-advocacy skills they'll need as they grow.

Because ADHD has a lot of gifts — and we're here to help unwrap them. 🎁

📅 Sunday, August 16, 2026
🏫 In-person at Classroom Matters, Berkeley

— Middle School (6th–8th): 11:30am–1:00pm | includes pizza 🍕
— High School (9th–12th): 1:30–3:00pm | includes snacks

💰 $65 | Spots available!

👉 Register at the link in our bio or visit

Summer Workshops — Classroom Matters Summer is here and Classroom Matters is excited to offer some of our most popular workshops again! Not seeing what you’re looking for? Interested in getting some students together for your own workshop? Contact us and we’ll try to make it happen!

We are excited to offer this workshop in collaboration with Beth Hillman: Learning to Live With (and Maybe Even Love) The Many Faces of ADHD

Have you ever looked at your child and thought, “Why are they so easy one minute... and nearly impossible the next?”

Maybe they melt down over something that seems small.
Maybe they argue, shut down, or avoid simple tasks.
Maybe they’re incredibly bright but still struggle to manage “normal” day-to-day life.

If you’ve ever wondered if these behaviors are linked to ADHD, then this workshop is for you.

The truth is, ADHD isn’t just about paying attention or lack of focus.

It can show up in ways most of us were never taught to recognize, and understanding those differences can improve how we respond as parents.

You’ll walk away with a better understanding of what’s really going on, along with practical ideas you can try at home right away.

Monday, August 10
4:30–6:00 PM PT
Live on Zoom
$30 (or pay what you can)

Hearing this a lot? We wrote a blog post just for you: https://www.classroommatters.com/blog/2026/1/2/stop-bossing-start-asking-a-parents-pda-primer