At the end of a long school day, a lot of kids need a transition period that offers reassurance and connection?maybe this year more than ever. For some kids, this need can show up as tears and frustration due to a phenomenon known as after-school restraint collapse. And while after-school meltdowns are more common during the first weeks of school, they can still pop up throughout the year.
Here are some great ideas for connecting with your kids to help create a smoother post-school transition.
 1. Take some time to regroup
?I make a decision before picking them up about how I want to show up,? says Shawna Scafe, a parenting life coach and mom of three kids ages 10, nine and seven, from the Okanagan area of BC. ?It?s easy to be in autopilot mode, so I prepare myself to be undistracted and ready to ?mom hard.?? 2. Stay outside for a bit
If you can walk or bike home from school or the bus stop, make it a habit. Leave enough time to move at your kids? pace and throw in pit stops at a playground or take a different route now and then to mix things up. Aim for the opposite of structured and give them time and space to release their pent-up energy.
3. Have fuel ready and waiting
Snacks are a surefire way to bring everyone together, and refuelling can help with emotional regulation. Pre-chopped veggies and fruit mean you can dig in right away. Sitting down at a table together is also a great way to start open-ended interactions.
4. Ask interesting questions
The standard ?How w...