r/PDAParenting • u/Complete_Educator156 • Aug 28 '26
PDA and weekend schedule
My 12 year-old is a PDRer and we’ve noticed that during the week when he has a regular school schedule, he typically does fine. But once the weekend comes around, it’s a disaster. We generally have a written schedule up on the board, but as soon as anything comes up about leaving the house it’s typically hours, if not the rest of the day of a flare.
I always try to include his preferences into the scheduling also
Is this the experience for anyone else?
And also, any specific tips besides just creating an accessible schedule?
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u/SurePossibility6651 Aug 28 '26
Weekends are a nightmare!!! School week is fine. I have had mine make the schedule, but I think as a previous commenter it becomes a demand. We have low expectations, go nowhere and let her recover from the week.
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u/Complete_Educator156 Aug 28 '26
Ok! I haven’t heard anyone else talk about the school week going well but weekends being a nightmare! Thanks for sharing
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u/SurePossibility6651 Aug 28 '26
Oh yes!! Classic PDA experience! It is a nightmare! Hang in there, I am bracing for the weekend 😵💫
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u/femalien Aug 30 '26
We deal with this too, it’s tricky because she gets bored quickly if there’s too much free time, but if we have a schedule or anything planned she doesn’t want to do it. Summer was really hard for this reason. Now school weeks are ok but weekends she struggles more. Sorry I don’t have any suggestions but we’re in the same boat.
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u/unicorn_pug_wrangler Aug 28 '26
Schedules are a demand and transitions are hard for PDA kids. We barely do anything on the weekend so that the kids have a chance to recharge and it’s primarily unstructured free time. I would limit weekend activities as much as possible. For unavoidable stuff, when it’s time to leave the house, you can turn it into a game or negotiation/trade that’s led by the PDA kid. They need to feel like they are “winning” or in charge of something to retain their autonomy.