In today’s fast-paced, overstimulated world, boredom has become something many parents rush to avoid. With screens, organized activities, and structured schedules filling nearly every waking moment, the concept of boredom often carries negative connotations. Yet research and child development experts suggest that experiencing boredom is not only natural but also a vital part of building essential life skills.

Winter is a season of contrasts, especially here in Minnesota where Monarch is based. Cozy evenings, festive lights, and hot drinks create a warm atmosphere—but for parents of children, winter can also bring challenges. One of the most common is maintaining movement and physical activity when the cold, snow, or icy sidewalks make outdoor play impractical.

This thanksgiving season, we’re grateful for the individuals and families who trust us to support their learning journeys. Thank you for letting us be a part of your story. Wishing you the best this holiday season!

The holiday season is often pictured as joyful, magical, and full of family togetherness. But for many children—especially those who are prone to anxiety, have sensory sensitivities, or struggle with perfectionism—this time of year can be overwhelming. If your child melts down at gatherings, worries excessively about plans, or becomes rigid and perfectionistic during the holidays, you are not alone. In fact, it’s incredibly common for children’s big feelings to surface this t

For many families, the holiday season is filled with excitement—school breaks, family visits, festive outings, and special traditions. But for children who rely on structure, routine, and predictability, this time of year can feel overwhelming instead of joyful.

One of the most powerful ways children learn is through stories. Long before children can analyze research or take in complex lessons, they connect with characters. They see themselves in protagonists who stumble, fail, try again, and ultimately grow. This is the heart of growth mindset: the belief that abilities can improve through effort, strategies, and support.

As parents, one of the hardest things to hear from our children is: “I can’t do it.” For neurodiverse kids—whether they have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, or other learning differences—those words often come after repeated experiences of frustration. This is where the power of “yet” comes in.

Thanksgiving is often described as a time for gratitude, reflection, and connection. Families gather around the table to share meals, traditions, and expressions of thankfulness. But for parents raising neurodivergent children—whether they have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, or other differences—the holiday season can sometimes feel complicated.

As autumn fades into winter, the days grow shorter, the weather colder, and the calendar busier. For many families, this seasonal shift is accompanied by changes in energy, mood, and motivation—especially for children. While it may feel easier to let routines slide when the holidays approach, maintaining structure is actually one of the best ways to support your child’s learning, mental health, and overall well-being during the fall-to-winter transition.

If you’re a parent or teacher of a child with ADHD, you may have experienced moments when their behavior feels like it’s always on the edge. Maybe they shout out in class, refuse to follow directions, or suddenly storm out of a room. You’re left wondering: “Is this just ADHD… or is my child deliberately being disruptive?”

As a parent, few things sting more than hearing your child labeled “lazy.” You might notice your child struggling to start homework, taking forever to get dressed, or losing steam halfway through a chore. It can look like they don’t care or aren’t trying. But the truth is, what looks like laziness on the outside is often something very different happening inside the ADHD brain.

As a parent, you’ve probably seen the gap between what your child knows and what they can actually show. Maybe your child understands math concepts perfectly in class but forgets to turn in homework. Or perhaps they can tell you the steps of writing an essay but fall apart when faced with the blank page. This gap is often explained by a set of skills called executive functioning skills. They are similar to the brain’s “management system" or "control room".

Executive functioning is often described as the brain’s “air traffic control system.” Just as air traffic controllers coordinate planes so they don’t collide, executive functions coordinate mental processes so we can focus, make decisions, and reach goals. The below checklist can help you identify areas of challenge for your child and help start a conversation about options for support.

When parents hear the term executive functioning, it can sound intimidating—like something out of a corporate boardroom. But in reality, executive functioning describes a set of mental skills we all use every day to get things done. These skills help us plan, organize, remember, and control our behavior. For kids with ADHD, executive functioning challenges are often at the heart of their struggles with schoolwork, routines, and daily life.

When your child struggles with reading, it can be both confusing and overwhelming. You may wonder: Why is this so hard for them? Are they just behind, or is there something deeper going on? And perhaps the most important question: How can I help my child succeed? Reading isn’t a single skill. It’s a complex process that involves decoding words, recognizing patterns, using memory, and ultimately understanding meaning. Children can experience reading differences for many differ

When we think about disability, many of us imagine something visible: a child using a wheelchair, a hearing aid, or a mobility support. But the reality is that many disabilities are invisible. They don’t show up at a glance, yet they impact children’s daily lives in profound ways. For parents raising children with invisible disabilities—or navigating them in their own lives—this invisibility can be both a blessing and a challenge.

When parents first hear the word dyslexia, it can stir up a swirl of emotions: worry, confusion, relief at having an explanation, or fear of the unknown. One of the biggest challenges is sorting through all the information—and misinformation—about what dyslexia is and what it means for a child’s future.

When your child is diagnosed with dyslexia, it can feel overwhelming. They may feel different from their classmates or worry that school will always be harder for them. As a parent, one of the most powerful gifts you can give your child is the reassurance that they are not alone—and that many bright, talented, and successful people share their journey. Dyslexia doesn’t define a person’s potential. In fact, some of the world’s most well-known leaders, creators, and innovators

When a child struggles to learn letters, avoids reading, or has difficulty remembering words, parents often wonder: Is this just a normal stage—or could it be something more? Reading differences, like dyslexia, are one of the most common learning differences. The earlier these differences are identified, the sooner children can get the help they need.

This month is dedicated to increasing understanding about dyslexia, which is a specific learning disorder related to reading. Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences that affects children’s ability to read, write, and spell, and yet it’s often misunderstood. The good news is that with the right understanding and supports, children with dyslexia can thrive academically and emotionally.