"We can do hard things." — Glennon Doyle

This quote is short, but it holds everything your child needs to hear this week — and maybe everything you need to hear too. School isn't always easy. Some weeks bring tests that feel impossible, projects that spiral out of control, and mornings where everyone is running late and tempers are short. But here's the truth: hard doesn't mean impossible. Hard just means it takes effort, patience, and the willingness to show up even when it's uncomfortable.

Your child is capable of doing hard things. They've already done plenty of them — learned to read, made new friends, navigated a bad day, figured out a confusing assignment. This week will bring its own set of challenges, but they've already proven they can handle more than they think. And you? You're doing hard things too. Balancing work, home, school schedules, and the emotional ups and downs of parenting — that's no small feat. So as you head into this week, remind yourself and your child: we can do hard things. And we don't have to do them perfectly.

School Tips by Age

Small shifts that make the week smoother

Elementary: Have your child give a thumbs up, thumbs sideways, or thumbs down for each subject this week. It's a quick, low-pressure way to check in on how they're feeling without requiring a long explanation.

Middle School: Have your child do a quick "backpack audit" tonight — clear out anything that doesn't need to be there. A lighter, more organized backpack makes the week feel more manageable.

High School: Remind your teen to check their grades online this week and flag anything that needs attention. Catching a missing assignment now is easier than scrambling at the end of the quarter.

This Newsletter Is Sponsored By Camp Homework

Sometimes a little outside support makes all the difference.

If your child is struggling to keep up — or bored because they're not being challenged — you're not alone. Some students need extra help to stay on track, while others need more advanced work to stay engaged. Either way, finding the right support can make school feel less like a grind and more like a place where they can actually succeed.

Camp Homework offers affordable K–12 tutoring with real human tutors (not AI). Packages start at $150/month, and tutors work with students on everything from catching up on math to diving deeper into subjects that spark their curiosity. If you've been thinking about getting your child some extra support, check out camphomework.com.

School Tips by Age

Small shifts that make the week smoother

Elementary: Have your child give a thumbs up, thumbs sideways, or thumbs down for each subject this week. It's a quick, low-pressure way to check in on how they're feeling without requiring a long explanation.

Middle School: Have your child do a quick "backpack audit" tonight — clear out anything that doesn't need to be there. A lighter, more organized backpack makes the week feel more manageable.

High School: Remind your teen to check their grades online this week and flag anything that needs attention. Catching a missing assignment now is easier than scrambling at the end of the quarter.

This Newsletter Is Sponsored By Camp Homework

Sometimes a little outside support makes all the difference.

If your child has been stuck in the same spot for weeks — avoiding a subject, falling behind, or just feeling defeated — it might be time to bring in a real person who can meet them where they are. And if your child is bored because they're not being challenged, a tutor who gets them can help them go deeper and stay engaged.

Camp Homework offers affordable K–12 tutoring with real human tutors (not AI). Packages start at $150/month, and sessions are built around what your child actually needs — not a script. Learn more at camphomework.com.

Ask your child: "What's one thing you want to feel good about by Friday?" It doesn't have to be a big accomplishment — just something specific they can aim for. Write it down and check in on Friday to see how it went.

One question for each day this week

StudyBlue (studyblue.com)

An online platform where students can create digital flashcards, quizzes, and study guides. It's especially helpful for middle and high schoolers who need to review for tests or memorize vocabulary. The site also lets students share study materials with classmates, which can make group studying easier.

If your child keeps making the same kind of mistake, pause and spend five minutes on just that one type of problem. Sometimes repeating the same error means they've memorized the wrong pattern — a quick reset now saves frustration later.

Before you go
This week, try to notice one thing your child did that they didn't make a big deal about — and make a big deal about it yourself. Maybe they started homework without being asked, or helped a sibling, or just got through a tough day without falling apart. Those quiet wins deserve to be seen.

If you're feeling like your child could use some extra support — whether they're falling behind or just not feeling challenged — help is out there. Sometimes the right tutor or learning resource makes all the difference, and it's okay to reach out.

You've got this. And so do they.