18 AUGUST 2025
After-school meltdowns are common. Learn how to support your child through decompression with simple, calming strategies that nurture emotional well-being.
Encourage alone time
Just like adults, children need time to decompress after a busy, structured day. Giving your child some quiet, private time after school allows them to process their emotions and unwind at their own pace. Avoid overwhelming them with questions about their day, instead, let them come to you when they feel ready. This simple routine helps restore their sense of calm and gives them the space to reconnect with you and the rest of the family on their own terms, feeling more in control, empowered, and emotionally grounded.
Create clutter-free zones
A tidy environment supports a calm mind. Reducing clutter and minimising background noise at home can help create a peaceful, predictable space, ideal for decompression and relaxation. This kind of environment can make a big difference in preventing after-school meltdowns, especially for neurodivergent children who may feel particularly overwhelmed after a stimulating or demanding day.
Shift focus and redirect emotions
When emotions are running high, gentle distractions can help your child shift focus and calm down. Try offering a soothing activity like drawing, listening to music, or spending time outdoors. These calming choices can help your child reset, recharge, and ease into a more peaceful evening.
Acknowledge and validate feelings
Listening to your child is more powerful than you might realise. It's important to acknowledge and validate their emotions, letting them know it's okay to feel upset, angry, or overwhelmed. As parents, we often say things like, “I just want them to be happy,” but this can unintentionally dismiss the full range of feelings your child experiences. By creating space for all emotions, not just the positive ones, you help your child feel heard, understood, and supported. This builds trust and encourages them to open up, laying the foundation for healthy emotional coping skills.
Keep mood diaries
Using tools like mood diaries or emotion trackers can help your child identify, express, and better understand their feelings. These simple tools build self-awareness and can support the development of stronger emotional regulation over time.