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One Top Knot Mama

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How I Used My Son’s Love of Football to Make Math Finally Click (Just in Time for the Super Bowl)

February 6, 2026

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Homework time can feel like a battlefield, am I right? Especially when it comes to math. My 10-year-old son, who LOVES the Seahawks, can get completely shut down at the sight of fractions or multiplication tables. And I’ll be honest—sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind trying to make him “just get it,” even if we have done the same types of problems 17 times already.

But here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way): kids who struggle in math are not lazy, not dumb, and definitely not trying to make your life miserable. Sometimes they just need a little extra support, patience, and a touch of creativity. And if your child happens to live and breathe football, there’s a magical intersection where game-day excitement meets math practice. (Bonus: this helps kids with executive functioning delay, and maybe even ADHD 😉)

Trust me—this isn’t more homework. It’s using what they already love to teach what they need to know.

  • You’re Not Alone, Mama
  • Why Football Makes Math Click
  • My Secret Weapon: Seahawks Math Printable Pack
  • How We Use It at Home
  • Why This Works (And Moms Can Relax)
  • GRAB YOUR FREE SEAHAWKS MATH PRINTABLE HERE
  • The Super Bowl Tie-In
  • Final Thoughts

You’re Not Alone, Mama

Let’s get real. If you have a kid who:

  • Cringes at worksheets
  • Tears up at “simple” multiplication
  • Or gets frustrated after two minutes of fractions…

…you are so not alone.

I’ve been there. I’ve sat through homework meltdowns, counting with my son on my fingers (and sometimes his toes), and silently questioning all my parenting choices. And if that’s you too, take a deep breath: it’s normal, and it’s not your fault.

I was talking to our executive functioning therapist last week, and we were brainstorming ways to get my little one more engaged in math and not get so frustrated. With the Seahawks just qualifying for the Superbowl, she suggested a math worksheet that used all football related questions. It was like a lightbulb turned on and we were like, YES!

Math struggles are often tied to things like executive functioning—organization, working memory, or the ability to plan and execute a sequence of steps—not intelligence. And that’s where structure and creativity can swoop in like a last-minute touchdown.

If you’re tired of tears over homework and want a fun way to engage your child, you can download this FREE Seahawks Math Printable Pack here and turn game-day excitement into learning!


Why Football Makes Math Click

Here’s the thing: kids are visual, concrete thinkers. And what’s more concrete than scores, yards, and halves in football? Suddenly, numbers have meaning.

For example:

  • Adding touchdowns becomes multiplication in disguise
  • Moving from the 25-yard line to the 75-yard line = subtraction and number lines
  • Quarterback throws = fractions of the game time

Instead of fighting against a subject they resist, you’re giving them a reason to engage. They’re excited, they’re motivated, and best of all—they’re learning without even realizing it.


My Secret Weapon: Seahawks Math Printable Pack

I created a Seahawks-themed math pack designed for kids like mine—ones who:

  • Need EF-friendly structure
  • Struggle with fractions and multiplication
  • And sometimes completely check out during homework

This pack is broken into manageable, confidence-building sections:

  • 🟢 Start: Easy wins to build confidence
  • 🟡 Try: Practice problems with visual aids and supports
  • 🔵 Challenge: Optional stretch problems for when they’re ready

It also includes a score chart that rewards effort, not perfection. (Because honestly, sometimes showing up is the real win.)

And there’s a parent-friendly answer key, so you can relax a little instead of second-guessing every problem.

Grab your free copy here and see how it works for your little football fan!


How We Use It at Home

Here’s a glimpse into our routine:

  1. Warm-Up (🟢 Start)
    We begin with “confidence-building” problems—stuff like simple addition, multiplication, or counting touchdowns. The goal is to start with a win so he feels capable before moving on. I’ve learned that starting with failure leads to tears and eye-rolls…trust me on this.
  2. Practice (🟡 Try)
    Next, we tackle the core skills—fractions, multiplication tables, number lines. I let him use visual aids: counters, football stickers, or drawing the yard lines. We keep it playful. If he struggles, I remind him that he’s learning, not failing.
  3. Optional Challenge (🔵 Challenge)
    Finally, if he’s feeling confident, we do one optional problem—maybe a multi-step fraction problem or a scoreboard calculation. Sometimes he’s into it, sometimes he’s not, and that’s okay. There’s no shame in skipping the challenge when you’ve already done your best.

After each section, we mark progress on the score chart. I don’t care if the answer is perfect—effort earns stars, smiles, and sometimes a Seahawks sticker.


Why This Works (And Moms Can Relax)

  • It’s fun: Football is something they already love!
  • It’s visual: Number lines, scores, and fractions are concrete, not abstract
  • It’s structured: The EF-friendly system gives them a roadmap
  • It celebrates effort: No more “you got it wrong” drama
  • It makes moms feel like we’re doing something right: Seriously, even a 10-minute session where they feel successful can feel like a touchdown

Even if your child has executive functioning challenges or anxiety around math, this approach reduces overwhelm and increases engagement.


GRAB YOUR FREE SEAHAWKS MATH PRINTABLE HERE

Don’t let math meltdowns steal your child’s confidence. Download your free Seahawks Math Printable Pack today, sit with your child, and make homework fun—even during Super Bowl week!”


RELATED POSTS:

  • How to Help Your Child Succeed at State Testing: Positive Affirmations
  • 8 Easy Crockpot Recipes for Your Super Bowl Party
  • 5 EASY Superbowl Game Night Apps to Make
  • Helpful tips to teach your child to stay calm and focused when their ADHD gets the best of them
  • How to Prepare Your Anxious Son for Middle School

The Super Bowl Tie-In

The Super Bowl is almost here, which means football is on everyone’s mind. Instead of fighting homework battles during halftime commercials, we lean into the excitement. My son gets math practice AND gets to talk about his favorite players. It’s a win-win.


Final Thoughts

If your child struggles with math, you are not alone, and there is a way to make it work without tears, meltdowns, or frustration. Using interests—like football—to guide learning can be transformative. And sometimes, you don’t even need a coach…just a mom who’s willing to play along and cheer for effort.

So grab your Seahawks Math Printable Pack, sit with your kid, and enjoy the process. One touchdown at a time, math can finally feel like a game worth playing.

💙💚 Go Seahawks!


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Posted In: Kids, Printables, School Days · Tagged: executive functioning, executive functioning math support, football activities for kids, football learning activities for kids, football math worksheets for kids, football themed math worksheets, fraction and multiplication worksheets, fraction worksheets for 4th grade, fractions practice, fun fraction activities, fun math activities for kids at home, hands on math activities, homeschool math support, homework help, homework help for kids with learning delays, learning math through sports, learning through play, math confidence building activities, math games for kids at home, math help for kids, math help for struggling students, math support for ADHD kids, math worksheets for kids who hate math, multiplication practice, printable math worksheets for kids, Seahawks math printable, sports themed worksheets, struggling learners, Super Bowl activities, Super Bowl activities for elementary students, Super Bowl math activities for kids, visual learning strategies, visual math strategies for kids

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Meet Jackie

Hello! I'm a wife, mom of 2 boys, coffee and wine lover who lives in the Nashville, TN area. After growing up in Chicago and moving to St. Louis for 6 years, we decided that Music City was our new home! I have a neurological illness, called CIDP, that has turned my life upside down, and I have created this blog to have a little spot on the internet to share with you my life as a busy mama who loves to shop, eat, drink & be merry! So grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, and enjoy your time with me here at One Top Knot Mama. Cheers, friend!

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