The After-School Meltdown
By Cheyenne Lofthouse-Wolf, LCSW
They held it together all day. Then they walked through your door.
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DeclassifiedCASE #002Key clue
The explosion shows up in the first 30 minutes home, not at school.
First move tonight
Make the first 20 minutes home quiet, snack-first, and question-free.
Noise, lights, rules, and people all day long. Many kids spend school working hard to hold it all in — and home is where it's finally safe to let it out.
The meltdown isn't a sign school went badly. Often it's a sign your child trusts you.
What to try tonight
Skip the "How was your day?" at the door. Offer a snack, a dim room, and quiet. Questions can wait until their body has landed.
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