Powerful Education Solutions

Why Your Child Might Actually DREAD Summer Break (And how to fix it!) 🏝️📉

It sounds counter-intuitive, right? Every kid wants school to be out! But as a specialist, I hear a surprising secret from my students every year: Many of them actually hate or dread the long summer stretch.

When I ask them why, the answers are consistent:

The "Void" of Routine: Without a bell schedule, the lack of consistency feels like "floating" without an anchor.

The Tech Trap: Students admit that while they think they want to be on screens all day, they recognize it eventually makes them feel sluggish, isolated, and "gross."

Lack of Control: Too much downtime leads to under-stimulation, which can spike anxiety and make them feel like their schedule is out of their control.

The students who actually look forward to summer are the ones who have a Plan. They are in the driver's seat of their own day.

The "Anchor Activity" Strategy ⚓
If you want to beat the "Summer Drag" without over-scheduling your family, try this one simple strategy: The Daily Anchor.

Assign just one specific activity to each day of the week. This creates a mental landmark for the student so they always know "where" they are in the week. For example:

Monday: Park & Movement Day

Tuesday: Music or Creativity Day

Wednesday: Library or Research Day

Thursday: Specialist Coaching/Skill Building Day

Friday: Adventure or Field Trip Day

Having just one "non-negotiable" anchor gives the brain the stimulation and predictability it craves, while still leaving plenty of room for that summer freedom.

Does your child thrive on structure, or are you a "go with the flow" family during the summer? Let me know in the comments!

Summer 2026: Success & Confidence Intensive
Led by Lori Stephens, M.A. | Educational Advocate & Executive Functioning Coach
Is your student feeling "stuck," anxious about the upcoming school year, or struggling to find their own momentum?

This summer, I am offering a limited number of Virtual Summer Intensives designed to bridge the gap between academic pressure and personal confidence. Using my background as a Reading Specialist and the proven "8 to Great" coaching framework, I help students navigate the "Highways" to success, moving them from dysregulation to self-mastery.

What We Focus On:

Executive Functioning: Mastering the "Code" of organization and follow-through.

Emotional Resilience: Tools to move through anxiety and "stuck" energy.

Academic Confidence: Specialized support for reading and learning transitions.

Sovereign Success: Teaching students to own their choices and their growth.

The Logistics:

Format: 1:1 Virtual Sessions (accessible from anywhere).

Dates: June – August 2026.

Availability: Only 5 spots remaining to ensure high-level, individualized focus.

Ready to start the 2026/2027 school year energized?
Reply to this post or DM me to see if your student is a fit for this summer’s cohort.

Finish the school year strong!

Y’all, I literally cried when I packed up all of the items donated for the Adopt A Family Program through Hope Family Services!The generosity of my clients and friends is overwhelming. This family will have an amazing Christmas thanks to the big hearted people in my world! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
This year, Powerful Education Solutions is supporting Hope Family Services with their adopt a family program. Please see the bottom of the flyer to see what we are collecting. If you purchase something, please come back to this post to update what else may be needed.

Just finished my last session with a Chemical Engineering graduate! I've worked with him since he was a senior in High School and it took him more than 4 years to finish college (chemical engineering is a tough curriculum).

It's a sad/glad moment because we have spoken just about once per week for 6 years. You get to know and care for someone and I will miss our weekly calls.

I know he will do well!

Start the school year right! Join us for Saturday for tips to start the school year out with calm focus and skills for a productive school year.

We will have a table here! Come check out all of the local resources for children and families!