IT’S been almost a month since the new school year began, with millions of parents sending their kids to learn something new.
But what was once excitement to be reunited with their school pals has now become tantrums in the morning and after classes.
If you’ve noticed a sudden change in your kid’s behaviour, a parent coach has revealed the cause behind it[/caption]
The whizz shared three tips to help you get through the meltdowns – and how to fill their tank faster[/caption]
If you’ve noticed a sudden change in your kid’s behaviour, a parent coach has revealed the cause behind it – and how to tackle the constant meltdowns and back-chat.
According to Jo Walker, the sudden ”spike” in your child’s behaviour around week four of the new school year is nothing uncommon.
”Midway through the school half-term is famous for meltdowns, back-chat, tears and defiance,” she explained in a recent video on TikTok.
”Why? Because the novelty of the new routine has worn off – but the stamina to cope hasn’t caught up yet.”
Jo added that the kids’ ”nervous systems are running empty” – and there are numerous ways this could affect your child, such as ”explosive meltdowns over tiny things”.
Other behaviours to look out for include ”back-chat or refusal out of nowhere, bedtime battles and morning shutdowns”.
Luckily, Jo also listed three easy tips to help you survive the spike this week.
”Lower the demands at home – they’ve used up all their coping tokens at school. Save the battles.”
Another key tip to make the rest of the term easier is prioritising ”rest and recovery”.
Jo explained: ”Think calm evenings, simple meals and earlier bedtimes.”
The parenting coach, who posts under the username @walkers.therapy, also advised her viewers to ”add extra connection”.
”A five minute cuddle or a silly game fills their tank faster than consequences ever will.”
She emphasised: ”This week isn’t a sign you’re failing – it’s just the nervous system saying, ‘I’m tired’.
”Keep calm, connect more and ride out the wave.”
How to stop temper tantrums
Find out why the tantrum is happening:
There are many reasons your child may have a tantrum, it could be as simple as them being tired or hungry.
They could also be feeling jealous, or just need attention and love.
Find a distraction:
If you think your child is starting a tantrum, finding something to distract them with straight away can help.
This could be a toy, or something you see out the window, like a dog or a flower.
Be prepared when you’re out shopping:
A parents know, many tantrums happen in shops and it can be hard to keep your cool.
Keeping shopping trips as short as possible can help, as well as involving your child in the shopping by talking about what you need and letting them help you.
‘Thank god it’s not just my child this week!’
Uploaded just a day ago, the informative clip has already taken the internet by storm, winning the coach more than a whopping 502k views and close to 11k likes.
Over 600 people flooded to comments, where many shared their own struggles.
One mum said: ”My kids snuck into my room and turned my alarm off the other day so they didn’t have to go school.”
A second chimed in: ”My girls had a day off today because it’s been too much for her.
”She needed a wellbeing day, bath doing whatever she wants just chilling because she needed it, she is exhausted.”
”Thank god it’s not just my child this week! Like a different child,”a fellow parent said.
”I work in a school and we are seeing this a lot,” a teacher wrote.
