Body Doubling

Your child can't focus alone on tasks

Steps

Sit near your child while they work (not hovering)
Do your own quiet task (reading, emails, paperwork)
Your calm presence helps regulate their attention
Occasionally check in with a quiet 'How's it going?'

What you need

Your presence and your own quiet task

Why it works

For people with ADHD, the presence of another person provides gentle external accountability without pressure. Your calm energy helps regulate their attention system. It's not about supervision — it's about the grounding effect of shared quiet presence.

Age guidance

Works for all ages, including teens and adults. Younger children may need you slightly more engaged; older children just need you nearby.

Real-world example

Many parents discover this accidentally — they sit down to do their own emails while their child does homework, and suddenly the child works for 30 minutes straight. The moment the parent leaves the room, focus evaporates. That's body doubling in action.

Troubleshooting

Don't correct their work while sitting with them. Save feedback for later
If they talk to you constantly, set a 'quiet work time' with a timer