After-school restraint collapse: what it is, and how to help your child

Ashley Navarre

Licensed Professional Counselor

Ashley is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor located in Texas. She works with people of many backgrounds and has experience with foster youth, behavioral concerns, and school-based services. She has worked in schools, hospitals, and emergency shelters.

“Why is my child well-behaved at school, but difficult and moody when they get home?” Your child’s teacher has nothing but excellent reviews for your child. She says your kid is great at school, but that’s not what you experience once the school day ends. In fact, you’re experiencing the opposite. Your child is difficult—they’re moody, whiney, and even having meltdowns when they get home.

This phenomenon, called after-school restraint collapse, is common and can affect children of all ages, especially those age 12 and younger.

‍

Why after-school restraint collapse happens

After-school restraint collapse is an emotional release. Children have to show self-control all day long, obey rules, listen to their teacher’s direction, sit quietly, and are not disruptive in class. Understandably, they may have pent up emotional and physical energy that they need to release. Once the child gets to a safe place, they release the true emotions they’ve been holding all day long—a bubble of pent up energy bursts. Some kids become whiney or weepy, while others might scream or throw things. Older kids might act rude or disrespectful to you and others.

After school restraint collapse is a meltdown, not a tantrum. It’s important to understand that meltdowns differ from tantrums:

Tantrum: a child’s reaction when something happens that they feel was out of their control. Often tantrums are caused when the child does not get what they want or is told “no.” During a tantrum, the child is distrable. Sometimes ignoring the child, or punishment, like a short minute timeout, is necessary.
Meltdown: the release of stored emotion, often caused by fatigue, overstimulation, fear, anxiety, or stress. During a meltdown, the child is not distractible. Comfort and a safe environment is the most important thing, punishment is not recommended.

While after-school restraint collapse can affect all kids, it is most common among sensitive and intense kids, and kids struggling with learning or socialization. Factors like fatigue, hunger, overstimulation, and sickness can also lead to after-school restraint collapse.

It is most common around times when kids are adjusting to changes to their environment or schedule, like back-to-school after the summer break. As the kid starts to get acclimated to their schedule and routine, after-school restraint collapse may occur less often.

‍

How to help your kid

If your kid does experience after-school collapse, try not to take it personally. It is not your fault, in fact, your child feels safe releasing their pent up emotion with you. It’s important to validate your kid's behavior and make room for the meltdown to occur—allow your child to release the emotions they’ve been holding.

If your kid is in the middle of a meltdown, try to avoid addressing the behavior in the middle. Wait for your child to completely calm down before talking to them about it. Even then, your kid might not be able to identify exactly why the meltdown occurred. Don’t dwell on the meltdown behavior, but do remind your child that you are there for them, and that taking deep breaths can help.

Helping your kid decompress at the end of the school day can also help. For some kids, this may look like physical activity like dancing, riding a bike or walking the dog. For others, it may look like listening to music, or simply going into their room or a quiet place to decompress on their own terms.. Finding a decompression activity that works for your kid can become a routine that your kid can count on to turn to when they are experiencing an emotional storm.

‍

Preventing after-school restraint collapse

When your kid gets home, try to avoid talking about school or homework right away. Instead, opt for a light, stress-free greeting. Try to avoid question overload about their day. Your child likely needs a “brain break after school” so give them some time and space to decompress.

After school, many kids are hungry (even if they don’t say so). When your child gets home from school, offer water and a healthy snack like vegetables, fruit, or cheese. If your kid has an after school activity, try to ensure they’re having a healthy, nutritious snack beforehand. It’s important that your kid has the opportunity to rehydrate and replenish.

Staying connected to your child during the day can help as well. You can put a note in their lunchbox or folder or a picture of you and them in their backpack. These gestures will help remind your kid that you are always there for them.

‍

Don’t take it personally!

It can be very upsetting and stressful to watch your child have a meltdown, especially when you feel like you’ve done your best to prevent it. Just remember, you did not cause the restraint collapse, and it is normal for your child to release their emotions after a long day. What matters most is that even when it's hard, you continue to foster a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment for your child.

Ashley Navarre

Licensed Professional Counselor

Ashley is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor located in Texas. She works with people of many backgrounds and has experience with foster youth, behavioral concerns, and school-based services. She has worked in schools, hospitals, and emergency shelters.

“Why is my child well-behaved at school, but difficult and moody when they get home?” Your child’s teacher has nothing but excellent reviews for your child. She says your kid is great at school, but that’s not what you experience once the school day ends. In fact, you’re experiencing the opposite. Your child is difficult—they’re moody, whiney, and even having meltdowns when they get home.

This phenomenon, called after-school restraint collapse, is common and can affect children of all ages, especially those age 12 and younger.

‍

Why after-school restraint collapse happens

After-school restraint collapse is an emotional release. Children have to show self-control all day long, obey rules, listen to their teacher’s direction, sit quietly, and are not disruptive in class. Understandably, they may have pent up emotional and physical energy that they need to release. Once the child gets to a safe place, they release the true emotions they’ve been holding all day long—a bubble of pent up energy bursts. Some kids become whiney or weepy, while others might scream or throw things. Older kids might act rude or disrespectful to you and others.

After school restraint collapse is a meltdown, not a tantrum. It’s important to understand that meltdowns differ from tantrums:

Tantrum: a child’s reaction when something happens that they feel was out of their control. Often tantrums are caused when the child does not get what they want or is told “no.” During a tantrum, the child is distrable. Sometimes ignoring the child, or punishment, like a short minute timeout, is necessary.
Meltdown: the release of stored emotion, often caused by fatigue, overstimulation, fear, anxiety, or stress. During a meltdown, the child is not distractible. Comfort and a safe environment is the most important thing, punishment is not recommended.

While after-school restraint collapse can affect all kids, it is most common among sensitive and intense kids, and kids struggling with learning or socialization. Factors like fatigue, hunger, overstimulation, and sickness can also lead to after-school restraint collapse.

It is most common around times when kids are adjusting to changes to their environment or schedule, like back-to-school after the summer break. As the kid starts to get acclimated to their schedule and routine, after-school restraint collapse may occur less often.

‍

How to help your kid

If your kid does experience after-school collapse, try not to take it personally. It is not your fault, in fact, your child feels safe releasing their pent up emotion with you. It’s important to validate your kid's behavior and make room for the meltdown to occur—allow your child to release the emotions they’ve been holding.

If your kid is in the middle of a meltdown, try to avoid addressing the behavior in the middle. Wait for your child to completely calm down before talking to them about it. Even then, your kid might not be able to identify exactly why the meltdown occurred. Don’t dwell on the meltdown behavior, but do remind your child that you are there for them, and that taking deep breaths can help.

Helping your kid decompress at the end of the school day can also help. For some kids, this may look like physical activity like dancing, riding a bike or walking the dog. For others, it may look like listening to music, or simply going into their room or a quiet place to decompress on their own terms.. Finding a decompression activity that works for your kid can become a routine that your kid can count on to turn to when they are experiencing an emotional storm.

‍

Preventing after-school restraint collapse

When your kid gets home, try to avoid talking about school or homework right away. Instead, opt for a light, stress-free greeting. Try to avoid question overload about their day. Your child likely needs a “brain break after school” so give them some time and space to decompress.

After school, many kids are hungry (even if they don’t say so). When your child gets home from school, offer water and a healthy snack like vegetables, fruit, or cheese. If your kid has an after school activity, try to ensure they’re having a healthy, nutritious snack beforehand. It’s important that your kid has the opportunity to rehydrate and replenish.

Staying connected to your child during the day can help as well. You can put a note in their lunchbox or folder or a picture of you and them in their backpack. These gestures will help remind your kid that you are always there for them.

‍

Don’t take it personally!

It can be very upsetting and stressful to watch your child have a meltdown, especially when you feel like you’ve done your best to prevent it. Just remember, you did not cause the restraint collapse, and it is normal for your child to release their emotions after a long day. What matters most is that even when it's hard, you continue to foster a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment for your child.

Ashley Navarre

Licensed Professional Counselor

Ashley is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor located in Texas. She works with people of many backgrounds and has experience with foster youth, behavioral concerns, and school-based services. She has worked in schools, hospitals, and emergency shelters.

“Why is my child well-behaved at school, but difficult and moody when they get home?” Your child’s teacher has nothing but excellent reviews for your child. She says your kid is great at school, but that’s not what you experience once the school day ends. In fact, you’re experiencing the opposite. Your child is difficult—they’re moody, whiney, and even having meltdowns when they get home.

This phenomenon, called after-school restraint collapse, is common and can affect children of all ages, especially those age 12 and younger.

‍

Why after-school restraint collapse happens

After-school restraint collapse is an emotional release. Children have to show self-control all day long, obey rules, listen to their teacher’s direction, sit quietly, and are not disruptive in class. Understandably, they may have pent up emotional and physical energy that they need to release. Once the child gets to a safe place, they release the true emotions they’ve been holding all day long—a bubble of pent up energy bursts. Some kids become whiney or weepy, while others might scream or throw things. Older kids might act rude or disrespectful to you and others.

After school restraint collapse is a meltdown, not a tantrum. It’s important to understand that meltdowns differ from tantrums:

Tantrum: a child’s reaction when something happens that they feel was out of their control. Often tantrums are caused when the child does not get what they want or is told “no.” During a tantrum, the child is distrable. Sometimes ignoring the child, or punishment, like a short minute timeout, is necessary.
Meltdown: the release of stored emotion, often caused by fatigue, overstimulation, fear, anxiety, or stress. During a meltdown, the child is not distractible. Comfort and a safe environment is the most important thing, punishment is not recommended.

While after-school restraint collapse can affect all kids, it is most common among sensitive and intense kids, and kids struggling with learning or socialization. Factors like fatigue, hunger, overstimulation, and sickness can also lead to after-school restraint collapse.

It is most common around times when kids are adjusting to changes to their environment or schedule, like back-to-school after the summer break. As the kid starts to get acclimated to their schedule and routine, after-school restraint collapse may occur less often.

‍

How to help your kid

If your kid does experience after-school collapse, try not to take it personally. It is not your fault, in fact, your child feels safe releasing their pent up emotion with you. It’s important to validate your kid's behavior and make room for the meltdown to occur—allow your child to release the emotions they’ve been holding.

If your kid is in the middle of a meltdown, try to avoid addressing the behavior in the middle. Wait for your child to completely calm down before talking to them about it. Even then, your kid might not be able to identify exactly why the meltdown occurred. Don’t dwell on the meltdown behavior, but do remind your child that you are there for them, and that taking deep breaths can help.

Helping your kid decompress at the end of the school day can also help. For some kids, this may look like physical activity like dancing, riding a bike or walking the dog. For others, it may look like listening to music, or simply going into their room or a quiet place to decompress on their own terms.. Finding a decompression activity that works for your kid can become a routine that your kid can count on to turn to when they are experiencing an emotional storm.

‍

Preventing after-school restraint collapse

When your kid gets home, try to avoid talking about school or homework right away. Instead, opt for a light, stress-free greeting. Try to avoid question overload about their day. Your child likely needs a “brain break after school” so give them some time and space to decompress.

After school, many kids are hungry (even if they don’t say so). When your child gets home from school, offer water and a healthy snack like vegetables, fruit, or cheese. If your kid has an after school activity, try to ensure they’re having a healthy, nutritious snack beforehand. It’s important that your kid has the opportunity to rehydrate and replenish.

Staying connected to your child during the day can help as well. You can put a note in their lunchbox or folder or a picture of you and them in their backpack. These gestures will help remind your kid that you are always there for them.

‍

Don’t take it personally!

It can be very upsetting and stressful to watch your child have a meltdown, especially when you feel like you’ve done your best to prevent it. Just remember, you did not cause the restraint collapse, and it is normal for your child to release their emotions after a long day. What matters most is that even when it's hard, you continue to foster a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment for your child.

“Why is my child well-behaved at school, but difficult and moody when they get home?” Your child’s teacher has nothing but excellent reviews for your child. She says your kid is great at school, but that’s not what you experience once the school day ends. In fact, you’re experiencing the opposite. Your child is difficult—they’re moody, whiney, and even having meltdowns when they get home.

This phenomenon, called after-school restraint collapse, is common and can affect children of all ages, especially those age 12 and younger.

‍

Why after-school restraint collapse happens

After-school restraint collapse is an emotional release. Children have to show self-control all day long, obey rules, listen to their teacher’s direction, sit quietly, and are not disruptive in class. Understandably, they may have pent up emotional and physical energy that they need to release. Once the child gets to a safe place, they release the true emotions they’ve been holding all day long—a bubble of pent up energy bursts. Some kids become whiney or weepy, while others might scream or throw things. Older kids might act rude or disrespectful to you and others.

After school restraint collapse is a meltdown, not a tantrum. It’s important to understand that meltdowns differ from tantrums:

Tantrum: a child’s reaction when something happens that they feel was out of their control. Often tantrums are caused when the child does not get what they want or is told “no.” During a tantrum, the child is distrable. Sometimes ignoring the child, or punishment, like a short minute timeout, is necessary.
Meltdown: the release of stored emotion, often caused by fatigue, overstimulation, fear, anxiety, or stress. During a meltdown, the child is not distractible. Comfort and a safe environment is the most important thing, punishment is not recommended.

While after-school restraint collapse can affect all kids, it is most common among sensitive and intense kids, and kids struggling with learning or socialization. Factors like fatigue, hunger, overstimulation, and sickness can also lead to after-school restraint collapse.

It is most common around times when kids are adjusting to changes to their environment or schedule, like back-to-school after the summer break. As the kid starts to get acclimated to their schedule and routine, after-school restraint collapse may occur less often.

‍

How to help your kid

If your kid does experience after-school collapse, try not to take it personally. It is not your fault, in fact, your child feels safe releasing their pent up emotion with you. It’s important to validate your kid's behavior and make room for the meltdown to occur—allow your child to release the emotions they’ve been holding.

If your kid is in the middle of a meltdown, try to avoid addressing the behavior in the middle. Wait for your child to completely calm down before talking to them about it. Even then, your kid might not be able to identify exactly why the meltdown occurred. Don’t dwell on the meltdown behavior, but do remind your child that you are there for them, and that taking deep breaths can help.

Helping your kid decompress at the end of the school day can also help. For some kids, this may look like physical activity like dancing, riding a bike or walking the dog. For others, it may look like listening to music, or simply going into their room or a quiet place to decompress on their own terms.. Finding a decompression activity that works for your kid can become a routine that your kid can count on to turn to when they are experiencing an emotional storm.

‍

Preventing after-school restraint collapse

When your kid gets home, try to avoid talking about school or homework right away. Instead, opt for a light, stress-free greeting. Try to avoid question overload about their day. Your child likely needs a “brain break after school” so give them some time and space to decompress.

After school, many kids are hungry (even if they don’t say so). When your child gets home from school, offer water and a healthy snack like vegetables, fruit, or cheese. If your kid has an after school activity, try to ensure they’re having a healthy, nutritious snack beforehand. It’s important that your kid has the opportunity to rehydrate and replenish.

Staying connected to your child during the day can help as well. You can put a note in their lunchbox or folder or a picture of you and them in their backpack. These gestures will help remind your kid that you are always there for them.

‍

Don’t take it personally!

It can be very upsetting and stressful to watch your child have a meltdown, especially when you feel like you’ve done your best to prevent it. Just remember, you did not cause the restraint collapse, and it is normal for your child to release their emotions after a long day. What matters most is that even when it's hard, you continue to foster a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment for your child.

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About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel’s diverse, culturally competent providers specialize in the health challenges of children and teens and partner with parents and school staff to make the best care decisions for students. Hazel is committed to improving health care equity and is available regardless of family income, geography, insurance status, or ability to pay. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care, because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of school-based telehealth. By partnering with districts and health plans across the country, Hazel transforms schools into the most accessible front door to pediatric healthcare. Today, Hazel’s licensed providers deliver teletherapy and virtual care (in school or at home) to over four million K-12 students, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hazel aims to remove all barriers to the mental and physical health care that children need to thrive: in school, at home, and in life.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel serves nearly 2 million students across 100 school districts, helping to reduce chronic absenteeism and unfinished learning by addressing gaps in health care access. As an extension of the school health team, Hazel helps schools immediately address student physical and mental health care needs. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel helps school districts address chronic absenteeism, unfinished learning, and school enrollment, by addressing gaps in health care access.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Instead of waiting for an appointment with a doctor or therapist, children can see a Hazel provider for a telehealth visit, at no cost to families. With guardian permission, Hazel’s telehealth platform allows children to connect with a health care provider within minutes, or a therapist within days of referral. Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. At no cost, and regardless of insurance status, Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.