What can I do to help my child when they cannot keep up with the system that used to work for them?

Short answer

An old routine can stop fitting when a child’s life, health, school or load changes.

What this can look like

A timetable or routine can stop fitting after school changes, illness or a busy period.

Why it can happen

Keep one useful anchor and rebuild around today rather than forcing yesterday’s system. A changed strategy is not a sign that your child has failed.

What might help

Keep one helpful anchor and rebuild around today’s needs.

What the research helps explain

Burn-out is an occupational term, so it is not a diagnosis for a child. Fatigue, cognitive clarity, capacity, school demands, health and recovery can all affect how a young person functions day to day, and persistent tiredness deserves appropriate health advice.

What can vary

Tiredness, fogginess and reduced capacity can have many causes, including health, sleep, medication, stress, learning, family change and overload. A public page cannot diagnose illness; new, severe, persistent or concerning changes need appropriate professional advice.

For this situation

For you, remove one step that no longer helps before adding another tool.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.

• Fatigue — Australian public guidance on fatigue, varied causes and when to seek medical advice.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome in young people — Australian child-and-family guidance on significant fatigue symptoms, daily impact and when to seek medical help.