Does Your Teen Struggle With School, Study Habits, or ADHD/Executive Functioning?

Written by Tynan Mason of Higher Grounds Management

Why Do So Many Teens Fall Behind in Schoolwork and Assignments?

It’s a scenario many parents know too well: your teen’s grades are slipping, assignments are missing, and study habits seem non-existent. Every conversation about schoolwork turns into an argument. Instead of focusing on learning, the household gets stuck in a cycle of stress, nagging, and frustration.

For teens and young adults with ADHD or executive functioning challenges, this isn’t a lack of intelligence or effort — it’s a lack of tools. Without support in planning, organization, and accountability, school feels overwhelming. Parents often end up in constant conflict, which only makes things worse.

If this sounds familiar, you don’t have to manage it alone. Contact us today to learn how Higher Grounds Management works directly with families in the South Bay to build better systems and bring harmony back into the home.

What Is Executive Functioning, and Why Does It Matter for Teens?

Executive functioning skills are the brain’s “control center.” They help students:

• Stay organized with assignments and deadlines

• Break large projects into smaller steps

• Regulate emotions when school feels stressful

• Prioritize tasks and manage their time

• Stay focused long enough to complete work

For students with ADHD, these skills develop more slowly, which is why missed assignments, procrastination, and late-night stress sessions are so common. Without proper guidance, the academic gap widens — and so does the strain on family relationships.

How Do School Struggles Create Stress at Home?

When grades drop or assignments pile up, parents often feel the need to step in. But constant reminders can quickly escalate into power struggles:

• Parents push their teen to focus.

• The teen resists or avoids.

• Arguments erupt, leading to stress for everyone.

• Work gets done late — or not at all.

This cycle not only impacts academics but also erodes trust and connection at home. Over time, both parents and teens begin to dread the daily homework routine.

How Is Higher Grounds Management Different From Traditional Tutoring?

Traditional tutoring focuses on subject matter like math or science. While helpful, it doesn’t address the deeper issue: how students manage themselves and their workload.

At Higher Grounds Management, our approach goes beyond academics. We provide:

• In-home sessions: We meet students in their own environment, where the real struggles happen.

• Executive functioning coaching: We teach planning, organization, and accountability alongside subject tutoring.

• Behavioral reinforcement: Positive reinforcement and clear boundaries help reduce avoidance and resistance.

• Family collaboration: Parents are part of the process, creating consistency and alignment at home.

• Virtual support via Zoom: For families outside the South Bay or those who prefer flexibility, we offer the same structure virtually.

This unique model empowers teens not just to complete their work but to build the independence and skills they’ll need for the rest of their lives.

Who Benefits Most From This Type of Support?

Our program is designed for:

• Teens with ADHD or executive functioning challenges who struggle to stay organized

• Students missing assignments or falling behind academically

• Families worn out by nightly homework battles

• Young adults preparing for the transition to college or independent living

By focusing on systems and accountability, we help students of all ability levels gain confidence and reduce stress — for themselves and their parents.

How Does Higher Grounds Management Bring Harmony Back Into the Home?

We don’t just teach strategies — we help teens implement them consistently until they become habits. This often includes:

• Setting up systems for tracking assignments and deadlines

• Practicing time-blocking and structured study routines

• Building a distraction-free workspace

• Using planners, calendars, and reminders effectively

• Teaching self-advocacy skills for working with teachers

As students grow more capable of managing themselves, parents no longer need to nag — and family stress begins to ease.

What’s the Next Step for Parents Who Are Ready for Change?

If you’re exhausted from fighting over homework and worried about your teen’s future, now is the time to take action. At Higher Grounds Management, we provide personalized support — in your home or virtually — that helps students succeed academically while restoring balance at home.

If you’re in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Rolling Hills, Rancho Palos Verdes, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar or anywhere in Orange County, Higher Grounds Management is here to help. We also offer virtual support and therapy to families nationwide.

We’re here to help—in your home or virtually. Contact us today to get started.

Written by Tynan Mason of Higher Grounds Management