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On the surface, it can look like a simple difference in motivation. One teenager forgets homework, misses deadlines and insists the assignment was completed, somewhere. Another teen completes the work but stays up until 2 a.m. perfecting it, overwhelmed and exhausted. Both are struggling, yet they are often perceived very differently by adults. What is happening beneath the surface is executive functioning. During adolescence, gender socialization plays a powerful role in how

Why Emotional Regulation Matters So Much in Adolescence Adolescence is often described as a time of emotional intensity, and for good reason. Teens are not just being dramatic or difficult; their brains are undergoing massive reorganization. Emotional regulation, the ability to notice, manage and respond to emotions in a flexible and effective way, is still very much under construction during the teen years. When teens struggle with emotional regulation, it can show up as o

In the third session of Oak & Ivy’s The Constructs Behind the Concepts  webinar series, we shifted our focus to resilience. Resilience is the piece that ties executive functioning and self-determination together. Resilience is often talked about as if it’s a mysterious inner strength some people simply possess. But as we explored in the session, resilience is far less about innate toughness and far more about the environments, relationships and experiences that shape a child

Parenting in today’s world is fast-paced, emotionally demanding and cognitively overwhelming. Between work, family responsibilities, digital distractions and the daily juggling act of modern life, it’s easy for parents to find themselves operating on autopilot, that is, they are often reacting rather than responding and surviving rather than thriving. Yet research points to a powerful tool that supports both parents and children in navigating these pressures more effectively:

The most important skill we can teach adolescents isn't part of any curriculum; it's the ability to shape their own lives. In the second of Oak & Ivy’s The Constructs Behind the Concepts  webinar series, we unpacked the concept of self-determination. Self-determination is the foundation for executive functioning, self-advocacy, and ultimately, fulfillment. At its simplest, self-determination means making active, goal-oriented choices about your life. But as the discussion qui

When students begin to struggle in school, most parents naturally ask the same question: “Should I get a tutor?” Sometimes that is the right answer. Other times, the problem is not about understanding the material itself. It is about how a student approaches learning, manages frustration, and organizes their thinking. That is where executive function coaching comes in. Tutoring focuses on the content a student is learning. Coaching focuses on the process of learning itself, i

(Or “What The Kitchen Table Taught Me”) Recently, I traveled to Brussels, a place I spent a good portion of my adult life and raised my children. While there, I caught up with several friends, including a parent from the international school I worked in. I became quite close to this mother having worked with her daughter throughout middle school. Like so many parents, she was a regular attendee at the many parent workshops we offered in the counseling department; she was curi

Parent-teacher conferences are a wonderful opportunity to advocate for your adolescent. They aren’t just for when a student is struggling, rather these quick 10- to 15-minute meetings give you a window into your child’s progress, help you build a stronger connection with teachers and create a partnership that supports ongoing success. In middle and high school, your teens are gaining independence, and they don’t always share much about what’s happening in class, with friends

Conflict is an inevitable part of life. We experience conflict in our families, our friendships, the classroom and in the workplace. For teenagers, learning how to navigate conflict well isn’t just about keeping the peace in the moment. It’s about developing lifelong skills in communication, collaboration and emotional regulation that will serve them long after high school. Why Conflict Navigation Matters for Teens As teens move toward independence, they are faced with new ch

We aren’t born knowing how to manage time, juggle responsibilities or stay focused on long-term goals. These are Executive Function  (EF) skills and they take years to develop. In fact, the part of the brain responsible for these essential skills, the prefrontal cortex, is the last to fully mature. That means even bright, capable teenagers may struggle with planning, organization, emotional regulation or remembering what’s due on Friday. And while that can be frustrating (for

Moving to a new school, a new country or simply advancing from one stage to the next brings not only opportunity but also challenges. For students, particularly international students, or those crossing key educational thresholds (middle school to  high school or high school to university), the transitions can stir uncertainty: unfamiliar systems, cultural norms, expectations, social dynamics, homesickness and even communication styles. Success in these times depends not just

Adolescence is a unique and often challenging stage of life, a developmental stage where young people are navigating rapid emotional, physical, cognitive and social changes while trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be. For many families, this can feel like a turbulent time, their teens crave independence, but they also need guidance, structure and support. That’s where adolescent coaching can be both a collaborative and supportive approach. Unlike tutoring

The new school year is around the corner—and for many families, that means a mix of excitement, anxiety, and maybe a little dread about...

Executive functioning coaching is having a moment—and that’s a good thing. More parents, educators, and students are recognizing the...

When people hear the word coaching , they often assume something is wrong. But at Oak & Ivy, we know better. Executive function coaching...

After working with hundreds of neurodiverse students over the years—from middle schoolers finding their voice to university students...

Too often, support for neurodiverse students begins with a diagnosis—and ends with a label. At Oak & Ivy, we believe in seeing students...

Not turning in homework.Missing deadlines.Meltdowns over minor changes.Rooms that look like archaeological digs.Arguments every time you...

Walk into any school and you’ll find students learning algebra, analyzing Shakespeare, and reviewing the causes of World War I. But...

At Oak & Ivy, we don’t just support students—we partner with them  on a journey of self-awareness, skill-building, and purposeful growth....