Id step through the classroom door, stretch my arms open and say, Hi, lady!
and then wait for her to run and embrace me like she often did when she was in preschool.
Instead, shed glance up, slump over and drag her feet over to her backpack.
On the drive home, things would only go downhill.
So … Id say, smiling at her in the rearview mirror.
How was your day?
and wed start arguing.
(For better or worse, you are their safe place to collapse.)
They might cry or protest or just seem generally fragile.
It may have something to do with school, but often, it doesnt.
It was just that period from about 5 to 6 p.m. that sucked.
And fighting it only made it worse.
What has helped, Ive found, is planning for it.Expectingthe meltdownwelcoming it, even.
For us, this has been the only way to make it through to the other side.
Here are some ways to support your kids through the dreaded daily transition.
Give yourself five minutes tobreathe and refocusbefore picking up your kids from school.
Once youre with your children, keep your phone tucked away, say Im happy to see you!
(not How was your day?)
and then listen for what they might need.
Its usually some silence and space to justbe.
Feed Them
Whether or not they finished their lunch that day, kids are famished after school.
This helps alleviate the hanger.
If it works for your schedule, you might even tryfeeding your kid dinner at 3 p.m.
It sounds extreme, but there are all sorts of reasons why it makes sense.
Then when she started kindergarten, it became a disaster.
We promptly canceled the activityit was just too much.
Now we lay low after school, and its been better.
But if they dont, check for other factors.
Is your child getting enough sleep at night?
Has something been happening at school?
Talk to your kids teacher about what youre seeing.
If the problems persist after a couple of months, consult your pediatrician or a child therapist.
