Monday Reset: Start Small, Start Kind
🌞 Monday Reset: Start Small, Start Kind
Mondays can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. For parents and teachers supporting kids with ADHD or autism, the “Monday mountain” can feel even taller: new routines, forgotten backpacks, missed homework, and all the emotions that come with transition.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to conquer the whole week today. You just need one small, kind reset.
Why Mondays Feel Harder
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ADHD and autistic brains crave predictability, but weekends are unpredictable.
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Executive function is at its lowest on “restart” days.
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Pressure from “new week, new goals” can backfire into shutdown or overwhelm.
So instead of chasing the perfect Monday, we can focus on a gentle entry ramp.
A 3-Step ADHD-Friendly Monday Reset
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Pick One Anchor Task
Choose the single most important thing for today (packing lunch, turning in homework, setting out clothes for tomorrow). That’s your win. -
Use a Micro-Timer
Start with just 5 minutes. Tell your child (or yourself): “Let’s just begin. We’ll check in after 5 minutes.” ADHD brains respond best to short, safe starts. -
Name the Effort, Not the Outcome
“I love how you got started.”
“Thanks for showing up even though it was hard.”
Praise the trying, not the finishing — it builds confidence and momentum.
Try This With Your Toolkit
Want quick scripts and visual supports to make Mondays (and every day) smoother? The ADHD Parent/Teacher Toolkit Sampler includes:
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✅ One ready-to-use routine
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✅ A reset script for homework battles
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✅ A printable tracker
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✅ 3 ADHD hacks
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✅ A gentle pep talk
👉 [Download the Free Sampler]
Final Thought
Mondays don’t need to be mastered. They just need to be started. One anchor task, one micro-timer, one kind word.
🌞 That’s enough. And enough is everything.