If children are dyslexic, life can be hard. They have to deal with all the stress of daily tasks in a world that isn’t built for people like them.

Your children with dyslexia are mostly trying to get by, but it’s really difficult when their brains don’t work the same way as everyone else’s does.

Things that seem so simple for other people are often an impossible task for them because their minds work differently.

I’d like to offer some ways you can help them manage everyday life, so things don’t feel so stressful.

What stress does a child with dyslexia experience?

If you have ever struggled with anything in your life, you are well aware that, during that time, life was no walk in the park.

There were days when just getting out of bed seemed to have been an insurmountable task, and to think about having to deal with your family’s and boss’s expectations only made matters worse.

It’s no different for a child who learns differently from how school instruction is taught, or who has trouble reading, writing, and following directions because their brains process information in divergent ways from their siblings or peers.

In general, when anyone is struggling, there are a lot of things competing for their attention.

If your child is contending with dyslexia, one of those contesting things is often making sure their clothes and toys are in the right place and their bedroom is clean.

Having said that, I assure you this article is not about folding underwear.

It’s a metaphor I borrowed from Patricia Lorenz who, through the humorous stories in her book, Life’s Too Short To Fold Your Underwear, brought to her readers’ attention the importance of getting out of the rut of wrong priorities. I am using this metaphor to bring attention to the need for parents of children with dyslexia to get their priorities straight when it comes to household tasks.

You must be able to distinguish between what is significant for this period of their lives, and what is not.

Fighting to keep up in school takes so much from them that struggling children often don’t have the energy to meet their parents’ everyday demands.

Problems Children with Dyslexia Have That Prevent Them from Meeting Parents’ Expectations

1. Trouble following directions
   • Many have difficulty telling left from right.
   • They may have missed some words in your instructions.
   • Most have difficulty keeping track of multi-step directions.
   • They may not know exactly what they are expected to do, therefore, they may do nothing.
2. Difficulty telling time
   • Many struggle with getting the hang of telling time.
   • If your direction has a time element, they may not know when they are expected to do what you told them.
3. Trouble performing their chores:
   • They may lack eye-hand coordination and be clumsy with several tasks.
     • For example, break a few dishes while washing the dishes.
   • May lack proper spatial awareness and knock over food or other items on the table during meals.
4. Long Homework completing time
   • Because they take a lot longer than their peers completing homework, they are mentally and physically exhausted afterwards.
5. Some have word-finding difficulty
   • They are unable to adequate express themselves to explain the trouble they are having or how they are feeling.

What can you do if you notice your child is not keeping up with your expectations and instructions?

If your child is struggling and you don’t know how to start making his life easier, here is a list of 3 helpful tips:

1. Assure your children that you love them.
   • Emphasize that you’re always going to love and support them. (Mean what you say and demonstrate it)
2. Give only one direction at a time
   • Ask them to repeat what you told them to make sure they understood exactly what you are requiring of them.
3. Go through the steps for completing the tasks you assign
   • Have a visual chart showing the steps.
   • Review each step and make sure your child understands each one.

When it comes to the small stuff around the house, give them a break!

I read a book a long time ago entitled, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff.

That title sums up what I want you to take away from this article.

With all that you expect to train your growing child to do, don’t sweat the small stuff. Your child’s mental and emotional comfort is worth letting go of some things most parents think are important.

Work with your children on developing the skills they are deficient in… one at a time… and be patient with them.

Give them the opportunity to enjoy their childhood and set the foundation for a happy life.

You can alter the direction of your child’s life by changing your attitude now.

You will be glad you did, and they will thank you for it, later in life.

Have you ever had significant difficulty with something and wished others would go easy on you?

Teaching the child with dyslexia how to read is only solving part of the problem. Parents must understand how to help their children develop the foundational skills that are needed to prepare them for learning success and help them navigate life.

That’s why I’m launching my program to help parents of children with dyslexia.

If you have a child with dyslexia and want to be a part of the program, let me know in the comments.