Day 6: Six Ways to Prioritize – The “Do, Delegate, Ditch” Method
- Rachel Schopp
- Dec 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2025
It’s the week before Christmas, and the to-do list feels endless. There are gifts to wrap, emails to send, and that nagging school project still unfinished in your child’s backpack. Your child feels it too – an avalanche of tasks both academic and personal. Both of you are wondering, “How on earth do we get all of this done?”
Yesterday’s strategy gave your child a way to break down a single task. Today, Day 6 is about zooming out and deciding what actually needs to be done now and what doesn’t. In other words, it’s time to tackle prioritization. When a student (or parent!) feels overwhelmed, the executive function skill of prioritizing becomes a lifesaver. Our Do-Delegate-Ditch Method is a simple, three-category system to sort any to-do list – whether it’s homework assignments or holiday chores. This printable framework solves the problem of “everything is important!” by clearly highlighting what matters most, what can be handed off, and what can wait or be dropped. The result? Less stress, more focus.
Help your student (or your family) sort tasks into three buckets:
DO (High Priority) – Tasks that absolutely must be completed by you (or your child) and have immediate deadlines. These are today’s critical items. For a student: finishing the rough draft due tomorrow. For a parent: paying the bill that’s due tonight.
DELEGATE (Needs Support) – Tasks that need to get done but can be partially or wholly handed off to someone else – whether that’s another family member or a helpful tool. Student example: dictating an essay while a parent types, or asking a sibling to help review flashcards. Parent example: ordering groceries online instead of going to the store.
DITCH (Low Priority) – Tasks that carry little consequence if postponed or never done. These can be safely let go, especially during busy times. Student example: color-coding old notes or reorganizing the entire binder (nice-to-do, but not urgent). Parent example: perfectly folding the guest towels when a simple toss in the basket works.
Once everything is categorized, tackle the “Do” items first. Make a habit of asking, “If I only have energy for one, which task must get done today?” That item belongs in the Do bucket. By starting there, you ensure the highest priorities get your best energy. Often, just clarifying what truly matters now can release a huge mental burden for both you and your child.
Reflection: When you look at your overflowing task list, what’s one thing you could delegate or even drop entirely? How might sharing the Do-Delegate-Ditch method with your child help them feel more in control of their responsibilities?
Tomorrow on Day 7, we’ll step away from checklists and focus on reconnecting with your child. Discover how just a few minutes of fun can transform the tone of your whole day.
Comments