Podcast Episode 402: Is Your Kid Forgetful—or Just Being a Kid? Executive Function Decoded with Tori Cordiano, Ph.D.
Have you ever walked into the pantry only to find an empty cereal box neatly put back on the shelf… like it magically refilled itself overnight? Or maybe you’re tripping over socks in every corner of the house and wondering if your kid has selective blindness. Before you lose it, here’s the thing: your child might not actually be forgetful—they might just be a kid.
That’s where executive functioning comes in. These are the brain skills that help us remember instructions, stay flexible when plans change, and keep ourselves from blurting out or grabbing that last cookie. The catch? Kids’ brains are still developing these skills well into their teens. Which means all those “Why can’t they just…?” moments might not be disobedience at all.
To help us make sense of it all, we’re joined by Dr. Tori Cordiano, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-director of the Laurel Center for Research on Girls. She specializes in translating research into real-life solutions for families—giving parents practical, sustainable ways to support their kids without losing their own sanity in the process.
In this episode, Dr. Cordiano breaks down what executive functioning really is, how it shows up in everyday family chaos (yes, including those socks and cereal boxes), and why understanding it can completely change how you parent. Instead of constant frustration, you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and simple strategies that actually work.
So before you lecture your kid for the hundredth time about the granola wrappers they “forgot” to throw away, hit play. This episode may just save your sanity—and your pantry.
In this episode of the No Guilt Mom podcast you’ll learn:
- Why kids struggle with impulse control
- What we know now about ADHD and executive functioning
- How to set the right expectations for chores and schoolwork
- Simple strategies to build executive functioning skills
Resources We Shared In This Episode:
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Access the full episode transcript HERE
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Brie Tucker
COO/ Podcast Producer at No Guilt Mom
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