Securely Attached20 Nov 2025

Q&A: What can I do if my child is reading below grade level, but is resistant to tutoring?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

- Why kids often say "this is boring" when something actually feels too hard or frustrating.

- How to tell whether your child's struggle with schoolwork might be about motivation, confidence, or a deeper learning challenge.

- What to do when tutoring or extra practice starts leading to power struggles or resistance.

- The pros and cons of reward systems, and how to use incentives in a way that truly motivates your child (without creating more stress).

- When to consider a school-based or private evaluation—and how to know which supports will make the biggest difference for your child's unique struggles.

If your child has started saying they "hate school" or "reading is boring" this episode will help you understand what's really driving that resistance and give you practical, compassionate ways to make learning feel lighter, more motivating, and even fun again.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

🔗 Learn about the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading for those with dyslexia

👉 If you're starting to wonder whether your child's challenges with learning might be more than a motivation issue, our Neuropsychological Testing services can help. Visit https://upshurbren.com/neuropsychological-testing to learn how we assess and support children with learning differences, or schedule a free call to talk through what resources might be right for your child.

ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧Listen to my podcast episode about the difference between tutoring and executive functioning skills

🎧Listen to my podcast episode about the neuroscience of raising emotionally resilient kids with Dr. Kristen Lindquist

🎧Listen to my podcast episode about the best response for when your child says "I'm bored"

🎧Listen to my podcast episode about using creativity to support mental health and resilience Sharon Itkoff Nacache

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!

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