If your kid is "fine at school" and then falls apart at home, this episode will make the whole thing make sense. Dr. Amy explains why the home–school mismatch happens (no shame, no blame) and how to connect what you see at home with what school sees at school so you can stop guessing and start advocating clearly.

• Why "same kid, different math" is the key reframe when school and home look totally different
• How to spot the hidden supports at school that don't exist at home (and why that matters)
• A simple way to map Demands, Supports, and Load so the after school crash makes sense
• What to ask next when you hear "they're fine"
• How to communicate with school without writing a novel

• After school boundary
  "After school is reset time. I'm not doing requests yet. First snack and ten minutes to land, then we'll talk."
• Same kid, different math
  "Same kid. Different math. School and home ask for different skills, at different times, with different supports."
• Teacher question
  "What supports help them most during transitions?"
  "What supports help them most during independent work?"
• Short 'compare notes' email
  "Hi [Name], I'm noticing a big after school crash at home. Can we compare notes about transitions and independent work? What helps them most at school when they're starting to wobble? I'd love to align home supports with what's working there. Thank you, [Your Name]"

• Write one Dot Log sentence today (not a journal, not a spreadsheet, one sentence)
• Reset before requests after school (ten minutes counts)
• Ask one teacher question from above
• Keep your message to 6–8 lines and send it
• Take one long exhale before you respond to the meltdown, not after

Pick one. One is enough.

• Big Feelings Decoder: translate big behavior into what's going on underneath so you can respond more calmly and communicate more clearly with school. Grab it here: https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/bigfeelingsdecoder

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical, psychological, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a provider-client relationship. If you're concerned about your child's mental health, safety, or development, please consult a qualified professional in your area.