Parenting writer Kasey Simpson shares her first column of Term 1.
By now, the little ones have a few weeks under their schooling belt for the year. Navigating the transition from the loosey-goosey comfort of home and holidays to the structured environment of school often feels like tiptoeing through a minefield. While I had hoped that the return to school after the break would bring some respite from the exhaustion my son had been experiencing, the reality has been quite different.
Post-school meltdowns are back.
The signs are clear from the moment I pick him up. The slumped shoulders, the distant gaze and the monosyllabic responses. In the first year of Kindy, I found myself at a loss at what to do. The experts say this behaviour can be a good sign. This release shows that we're the most comfortable person for them to let all their yucky feelings out on. Yay for us!
Over time, I've come to recognise the importance of providing him with the space and support he needs to navigate these after-school outbursts.
One of the first strategies I've adopted is to address the physical aspect of his mood swings. It's amazing how much of a difference a simple snack can make. I quickly realised that he might be feeling "hangry" so I always ensure there's a nutritious snack (let’s be real, whatever he’ll eat) waiting for him as soon as he steps out of school.
This small gesture goes a long way in replenishing his energy levels and alleviating any potential grumpiness.
Equally important is providing him with the space to decompress in silence. As tempting as it may be to bombard him with questions about his day, I've learned that sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Instead, I offer him the option: "Do you want to talk, or do you need some quiet time?" More often than not, he opts for the latter. And with three kids in the house, this is fine by me.
It's a journey of trial and error, filled with moments of frustration and small victories. Is this just me, or are you experiencing that after school rage too? Any strategies?
