Another Day Gone: Parenting in the Spin Cycle

This morning, I stared at my planner for a good six minutes.

It was supposed to be a light day: finish a blog post, prep a reel, and respond to two emails.

Kuku was playing nearby, humming along to Jack Hartmann and doing his “concert moves.”

No chaos. No crisis.

And yet, by evening, not one task on my list was crossed off.

Not. One.

I didn’t feel overwhelmed. Not exactly. But I felt… foggy. Like I was moving in circles inside my head, and everything kept slipping through. The more I tried to “start,” the heavier it all got. I found myself going from fridge to phone to window to snack to sofa, half-present, half-guilty.

It was a classic case of what I call “the spin cycle.”

And I’m not talking about laundry.

What Is the Spin Cycle?

It’s that pattern where the day blurs into fragments:

A thought here, a reminder there.An unfinished sentence on your phone.A school bag you opened but never repacked.That thing you meant to do but somehow didn’t.

You’re not lazy. You’re not bad at time management. You’re simply stuck in a loop of mental tasks that never get externalised.

And suppose you’re parenting a neurodiverse child, especially one who needs co-regulation, transitions, and emotional scaffolding throughout the day. In that case, your brain is likely constantly prioritising “What does my child need right now?” over “What did I need to finish today?”

But I Didn’t Even Do Much Today… Right?

Oh, but you did.

You tracked your child’s shifting moods like a human radar.

You managed three snack negotiations and a toothbrush standoff.

You fielded big feelings from a little body while staying calm-ish.

You said, “Let’s try again,” instead of snapping.

None of that makes it to the to-do list.

But it all takes mental energy. And a lot of heart.

What We Often Miss As Parents

Here’s the silent truth:

Many of us, especially parents of children with ADHD, sensory needs, or emotional regulation challenges, are functioning in constant low-grade emergency mode. Our brains are juggling stimuli, trying to anticipate and respond, and never quite shutting down.

So when the time finally comes to sit and “get things done,” we’re flat. Not because we’ve done nothing. But because we’ve done everything invisible.

Okay… But How Do I Get Stuff Done Then?

Here’s what I’ve found works   not perfectly, but consistently enough to help me move again when I’m stuck in the spin:

1.      Make a “Done List” Instead of a To-Do List

At the end of the day, write down everything you did  

“Helped Kuku calm down after his shirt felt weird.”

“Gave full attention during pretend play concert.”

“Didn’t snap when the Lego tower broke… again.”

This reframes your self-talk and builds motivation from success, not shame.

2.      Use “Tiny Task Anchors”

Instead of “Write blog post,” I’ll write:

Open the Notes app

Title the draft

Write the first sentence

Visibility makes things doable.

3.      Time-Box the Boring Stuff with Movement

Set a 5-minute timer. Before starting the task, move: 10 star jumps, stretch, or a silly dance. Then go.

It helps break the inertia. And if your child joins in, it becomes a connection point too.

4.      Pair Tasks with Play or Conversation

If I need to brainstorm content, I let Kuku pretend to interview me with a fake mic.

When we’re folding things (yes, sometimes we do fold things!), we make it a beat-the-timer game.

It turns work into a shared experience, not a solitary burden.

5.      Pick One Thing, and Let That Be Enough

Some days, all I do is show up for my son and be kind to myself.

That’s enough.

Tomorrow is another day.

And even if I lose the spin cycle again, I know how to find my way out.

Before You Go…

If this felt like your day too, blurry, busy, but strangely “empty,” I see you.

You’re doing more than you realise. And you don’t have to do it alone.

In the comments, tell me one tiny win from your day today. Let’s celebrate the invisible victories.

And suppose you’d like help setting up systems, establishing emotional routines, or just a space to talk through the parenting fog. In that case, I’d be happy to support you.

Click here to book a one-on-one consultation with me

You are not behind. You’re on your own timeline.

And you’re doing just fine.

Recommended ResourcesTools to Help Get Stuff Done Visual Timer for Kids (60-minute countdown) – This vibrantly colored visual timer gives you and your child a clear, concrete sense of time passing. Use it for 5-minute “tiny task” sprints, movement breaks, or transitions, great for breaking inertia or signalling breaks in a neutral, non-verbal way. The Self‑Regulation Workbook for Kids – Packed with simple, playful exercises inspired by CBT principles, this workbook helps kids (and parents!) practice planning, managing emotions, and breaking tasks into bite-sized steps. A parent–child activity goldmine.

Why these?

Clear visual timers and small, doable, scaffolded tasks are exactly what help shift the brain out of fog and into flow, especially when executive function is playing hide-and-seek.

Free Online Courses to Explore ADHD in Child Development   – Learn the key symptoms, different ADHD subtypes, and how parenting strategies can support a child’s attentional and emotional regulation. Child Development: Self‑Regulation – A hands-on introduction to self-control, delayed gratification, and attention management in early childhood. Includes sociodramatic play tips to help children internalise routines. Child Counselling & Psychotherapy – Delves into how to support children’s emotional and behavioural needs, perfect for those days when you feel like you “did nothing” visible but did so much emotionally.Quick Ways to Use TheseResourceHow to Use TodayVisual TimerTry a 5-minute countdown before starting a small task dance break at zero!WorkbookPick one emotion or challenge, and work through a page together.ADHD CourseLearn one new insight during nap or snack time today.Self‑Regulation CourseTry one play-based routine tip this evening.Counselling CourseJournal, one moment you supported your child emotionally today

Let me know if you’d like more resource suggestions, printable worksheets, or help integrating these tools into your daily family rhythm!