Ever wonder why your child holds it together all day at school, only to completely fall apart the moment they get home?
In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, registered psychologists Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson explore why children often save their biggest emotions for the people they feel safest with.
From after-school meltdowns to emotional outbursts over seemingly small things, Tammy and Tania unpack what may be happening beneath the surface and why these behaviours aren't necessarily signs of defiance or poor parenting.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why children fall apart with their parents: How emotional safety, attachment, and the effort of holding it together throughout the day can contribute to meltdowns at home.
- The hidden cost of being good all day: Why following rules, managing friendships, and meeting expectations can leave children emotionally exhausted.
- Why small things trigger big reactions: Understanding how accumulated stress and unmet needs can overwhelm a child's capacity to cope.
- How to respond without escalating the meltdown: Practical ways to offer connection, co-regulation, and boundaries when emotions run high.
- How to prevent the after-school explosion: Simple strategies to support decompression, emotional regulation, and connection.
The takeaway: Your child's biggest emotions aren't always a reflection of how you're parenting. Sometimes, they're a sign of just how hard your child has been working to hold everything together.
Join Tammy and Tania for a compassionate, practical conversation that will help you see your child's meltdowns through a different lens—and feel more confident supporting them through those difficult moments.
Join us for our upcoming FREE Parenting Summit, November 16–19! 🎉
Four days of inspiring conversations, expert insights, and practical parenting tools—all completely free!
👉 Register here: https://instituteofchildpsychology.com
","author_name":"Institute of Child Psychology"}