He holds it together ALL day at school then detonates the second he's in the car. Today it was because I'd cut his sandwich wrong (I hadn't, it was the same as always). I know it's because he's been masking for 6 hours but I'm running on empty by 3:30pm. What actually helps the witching hour?
5 replies
Jen R
24 December 2025
Food + water + zero demands for the first 30 mins. We call it 'landing time'. No questions about the day, no 'how was school', just a snack in his hand and a show on. The interrogation can wait.
Dave T
25 December 2025
Pickup snack in the car was a game changer for us. Low blood sugar + sensory overload + tired = guaranteed meltdown. We do a protein snack the second he gets in.
Michelle K
25 December 2025
Reframing it as 'restraint collapse' instead of 'bad behaviour' saved my sanity. He's not giving you a hard time, he's HAD a hard time and you're his safe person. Doesn't make it easier at 3:30 though, solidarity x
tired_mum_of_3
25 December 2025
'Landing time' — I love that. Trying it tomorrow. Thank you all, I needed this tonight.
Emma V
26 December 2025
Also worth checking if there's a specific trigger at the end of the day at school. For us it was the transition itself, and a visual countdown helped.
Want to join the conversation?
Open it in the community →