Why Does My Child Behave at School but Fall Apart at Home?
Nov 10, 2026 · 19m
Summary
Dr. Shefali discusses a seven-year-old daughter who is a perfect people-pleaser at school but experiences intense meltdowns at home. They explore strategies to ease the transition, such as sensory breaks and creating "cuddle time" to build physical connection. The conversation also addresses the parents' need to release their own perfectionism to reduce the pressure on their sensitive child.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: MidiHealth for women's health
Introduction: The perfect student vs. home tantrums
Lori describes her daughter's behavior at school and home
Parental reactions and the limits of co-regulation
Sensory needs and the impact of parental presence
Sponsors: Tineco and MidiHealth
Strategy: Creating step-down transitions from school
Techniques: Noise-canceling headphones and sensory play
Root cause: Perfectionism and the 'soldier mode'
Shifting focus: Valuing the child beyond performance
Building physical connection through 'cuddle time' rituals
Key takeaways and self-reflection for parents
Parental alignment and releasing perfectionist pressure
Conclusion and book recommendation
Disclaimer and Sponsor: Tineco
Sponsor: Case Knives
Listen ad-free on Castria