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Parenting

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Original poster

Bad mood after school

17 replies

SpinningFloppa · 03/02/2023 15:18

5 year old dd is always in such a bad mood when I pick her up from school, if she’s not crying then it’s moaning/ having a tantrum etc it’s every day she comes out in a foul awful mood and it’s horrible to deal with

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FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 03/02/2023 15:21

Tired and over stimulated probably needs a few minutes of peace and quiet to unwind.

Spendonsend · 03/02/2023 15:22

Tired and hungry. Give her a snack and some down time.

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SpinningFloppa · 03/02/2023 15:23

Was cut off just meant to say is it normal for kids to be in such an awful mood after school

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Greydogs123 · 03/02/2023 15:25

A snack straight away helps a lot, I find. Try not to ask anything if her as soon as you get in but offer a cuddle and a bit of chill time.

SheeSaid · 03/02/2023 15:25

Mine went through a period like this. Friendship troubles, not liking school dinners so was thirsty and hungry. Speak to the teacher and your child separately. Ask the teacher if your daughter seems ok or if something happened, you should do this the next day, call the office or email as the teacher might forget. Bring a nice drink or snack for her. Check her shoes, hair and clothes are comfortable. My DD also went through a phase of not going to the toilet and was upset with a tummy ache. Sometimes there's been a rude child that said something mean to her. Sometimes children don't want to talk about troubles right away but will talk when cuddling reading a book or colouring... try to do more 1 on 1 activities with her in a pleasant relaxing atmosphere.

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 03/02/2023 15:25

I had similar problem. Solved it by collecting with favourite cuddly toy/comfort object and a snack. So...
Collect, calmly give comfort thing and snack, hug if receptive, don't say much, just 'hello, nice to see you'. Take home, allow child recharge and recover from school day (calm activity like TV, alone in room with favourite toy, bath - whatever switches her off).
School can be 'a lot'.

SheeSaid · 03/02/2023 15:26

And one time the teacher told my child off and my daughter didn't want to tell me or talk about it but was upset. She later in the evening told me what happened. Cleared it up with the teacher and my child and all was ok again.

NuffSaidSam · 03/02/2023 15:26

It's normal.

They're tired and hungry normally.

Snack asap and then let her chill out and watch TV/play/have a cuddle for an hour to recharge.

PeekAtYou · 03/02/2023 15:26

Drink and snack did wonders here. Even though they go to school with a water bottle, room temp water is not exactly a tempting prospect.

Pippylongstock · 03/02/2023 15:27

Pretty normal. Does get better. Mine kept it all in and then let it out at home time. One memorial walk home with my son howling all the way. Refused to walk, I had my younger child in a pushchair. In the end a very kind mum pushed my daughter and I carried my son screaming the whole way home. I got home and cried as I was so embarrassed. He now walks himself home and is usually very upbeat. Hang in there!

Spendonsend · 03/02/2023 15:29

SpinningFloppa · 03/02/2023 15:23

Was cut off just meant to say is it normal for kids to be in such an awful mood after school

Yes it is. Its very tiring learning all day with not much down time and lunch is very hit and miss if they have school lunch as you cant see how much they ate. A lot goes in the bin. And toilets are in issue for some too.

Swimswam · 03/02/2023 15:31

It’s normal. I used to give snack immediately and ask no questions about day. Until snack is consumed 😂

PandaG · 03/02/2023 15:34

Very, very normal. School can be exhausting, child might be hungry (very likely!), needing the loo (don't like cubicals/noise of hand dryers/smell) shattered from conforming all day, worried cos they didn't understand something and they think everyone else did. Food, a quick hug if child receptive, and some quiet time colouring/reading/whatever child likes....I tended to leave telly until I was getting dinner ready but a flop in front of the tv for a bit straight after school can all help recharge.

Lkydfju · 03/02/2023 15:36

Is she year 1 or reception? I found reception was particularly bad for them being tired. A snack quite quickly and a calm activity helps I find

Redebs · 03/02/2023 15:38

It is normal. Usually tired and hungry.
Do find a moment some time to ask if there are things at school upsetting her. Perhaps a weekend chat about how she's feeling etc

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 03/02/2023 15:45

Absolutely normal. Sometimes they may have worries but more often than not it's a reaction to being on their absolute best behaviour all day in school and then falling apart as soon as the pressure is off.

TheRookie · 03/02/2023 15:47

Yep my daughter is nearly 5, although still at nursery as we are in Scotland. We get in the car and I don't say much, she gets home, outdoor stuff off, pee and hands washed and the TV goes on, get her a snack, and some juice and let her chill. Once she starts to unwind, she becomes more chatty! If we don't do this routine every afternoon, it's tears, meltdowns and screaming!

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