If you’ve ever said, “We’re leaving in five minutes!” only to find your child still barefoot, distracted, and nowhere near ready to go… you are definitely not alone.
As moms, it can feel frustrating when our kids seem to ignore reminders, struggle to transition between activities, or completely lose track of time. But according to Mindy Hudon, many kids aren’t being defiant at all. They simply don’t yet understand how to manage time in the way adults expect them to.
In this episode of the Secrets of Supermom Show, Lori sits down with Mindy Hudon, a speech-language pathologist with more than 30 years of experience helping children with communication and executive function challenges. Together, they unpack why time management is such a challenge for kids, what “time blindness” really means, and practical ways moms can help children build independence without all the stress and constant reminders.
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Rather read? Check out the show notes and episode content right here!
Show Notes: Why Your Kids Struggle With Time Management
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #297 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
Children do not naturally understand time the way adults do.
As parents, we often assume that phrases like “five more minutes” or “we’re leaving at 3:15” should make sense to kids. But many children cannot yet visualize what those chunks of time actually feel like.
Mindy explains that children are often “time blind,” meaning they struggle to sense the passage of time, estimate how long tasks will take, or plan ahead effectively. This is especially common in children with ADHD or executive function challenges.
That means when your child delays getting dressed, melts down during transitions, or insists they have “plenty of time,” they may genuinely not understand how quickly time is passing.
The Connection Between Executive Function and Time Management
Executive function skills are the mental processes that help us plan, organize, prioritize, regulate emotions, and manage tasks throughout the day.
Adults rely on these skills constantly, often without even realizing it.
Think about how often you mentally calculate how much time you have before leaving the house, decide what tasks need to happen first, or adjust your plans when something unexpected happens. Those are all executive functioning skills in action.
The important thing to remember is that children are still developing these abilities. In fact, executive functions are not fully developed until the mid-to-late twenties.
For kids with ADHD, those skills may develop even more slowly. Mindy explains that children with ADHD often have a significant delay in executive functioning, which means parents may unintentionally expect skills their child is not yet capable of consistently managing independently.
Understanding this can completely shift the way we respond as parents.
Why Visual Tools Work Better Than Verbal Reminders
One of the most practical parts of this conversation is Mindy’s explanation of why visual tools are so powerful for children.
When parents repeatedly give verbal reminders, kids may only retain a small portion of the information. But when verbal instructions are paired with visuals, children are much more likely to understand and follow through.
That’s why Mindy created the Bee A Time Keeper® clock — a visual analog clock designed to help children actually see and feel the passage of time.
Unlike digital clocks, analog clocks visually show time moving forward. Children can begin to connect what five minutes, fifteen minutes, or thirty minutes actually feels like.
Instead of constantly saying:
- “Hurry up!”
- “You’re going to be late!”
- “We have to leave soon!”
Parents can begin teaching children how to monitor time for themselves.
That shift builds confidence, reduces anxiety, and helps children become more independent over time.
Practical Time Management Strategies for Kids
Mindy shared several simple but incredibly effective strategies parents can start using right away.
Use Visual Cues
Children often respond better when they can see expectations instead of only hearing them.
This can include:
- Analog clocks
- Visual schedules
- Picture checklists
- Timers paired with visuals
- “Match it” photo systems for routines
For example, taking a photo of what a packed backpack should look like can help children independently prepare for school each day.
Plan Ahead With Your Child
Instead of giving sudden warnings, begin talking about transitions ahead of time.
Saying:
“When the minute hand gets to the three, it will be time to leave.”
helps children connect time to a visual reference instead of an abstract concept.
Teach Kids to Listen, Repeat, and Do
Mindy also shared a simple communication strategy she uses with families:
Listen. Repeat. Do.
Instead of endlessly repeating instructions, ask children to repeat back what they heard before starting the task. This encourages active listening and helps kids take ownership of the directions.
Helping Kids Feel Successful Instead of Stressed
One of the most encouraging parts of this episode is the reminder that time management is a skill — not something kids simply “should know” how to do.
When children are given the right supports, tools, and guidance, they can absolutely learn how to manage routines, transitions, and responsibilities more independently.
And honestly, this conversation is just as helpful for moms as it is for kids.
Because sometimes understanding what’s actually happening beneath the surface helps us respond with more patience, more empathy, and far less frustration.
About Our Guest: Mindy Hudon
Mindy Hudon, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience and the co-owner of Achieve Speech & Language Services, a private practice dedicated to supporting children’s communication challenges and executive function development. After many years working in the schools, Mindy became especially passionate about helping children who struggled with time management following transitions, time expectations, and self-regulation challenges that often impact daily routines at home, school and beyond.
She is the award-winning author of the middle school graphic novel, Kodi’s Adventures: How I Learned to Defeat the Time Snatcher and the creator of the Creative Child Magazines Educational Product of the Year 2025, the Bee A Time Keeper® clock, both designed to help children better understand and manage time. Mindy also serves as a Speech and Language Expert Advisor for 30Seconds.com, where she shares practical, parent-friendly tips on speech and language challenges, health and everyday mommy business!
(Promo Code: Supermoms)
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About the Host: Lori Oberbroeckling
Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling is a mom of four, corporate leader, podcaster, productivity expert, and author of the book Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!
She is passionate about helping parents who want fulfilling careers–or side hustles or passion projects–while also wanting to feel present and connected to their families.
