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The after-school hours between 3-6 PM represent a crucial transition time when children often experience emotional meltdowns after holding it together all day at school.

When kids fall apart after returning home, it's actually a sign they feel safe with you, and by implementing the "three R's" routine—Refuel, Regulate, Reconnect—parents can transform this challenging window into an opportunity for meaningful connection.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How research shows the 3-6 PM window is when behavioral outbursts most commonly occur
• Consistent after-school routines lower cortisol levels in both parents and children
• Meltdowns indicate trust, not misbehavior—home is their emotional exhale
• Refuel, Regulate, Reconnect
• Creating unstructured play time in the evening for better emotional regulation

Remember to stay intentional, stay playful, and keep leading your family with love. God's mercies are new every afternoon, especially at 3:45 when someone's crying about grapes.

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The Family Huddle is a simple yet powerful 20-minute weekly family meeting that can transform household chaos into calm and share the mental load that often falls on one parent. Studies show families who meet regularly report better communication, fewer behavioral issues, and children who are more emotionally secure and less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

In this episode, we discuss:
• A simple, repeatable format: prayer, calendar review, family goal, family cheer
• Creates a space for connection, predictability and problem-solving as a team
• Gives kids a sense of belonging and ownership in family life
• Starts building leadership skills through participation in planning

Check out our Huddle Up Digital Bundle in our Families of Character shop for a more robust version of the family huddle, complete with videos and printables.

Please share this episode with someone in your network, and give us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help our show move to the top of the charts for parenting podcasts.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

Routines aren't restrictive shackles but freedom frameworks that help children thrive during the back-to-school transition and beyond. Science confirms that consistent routines improve children's sleep quality, school performance, emotional regulation, and ultimately prepare them for independent adulthood.

• Research shows kids with consistent bedtime routines sleep better and perform better academically
• Routines reduce decision fatigue, giving both parents and kids more mental energy for important matters
• Flexibility within structure creates safety and stability for children
• Make routines visual with charts or checklists that give kids independence
• Practice new routines before school starts with a three-day reset challenge

If this episode encouraged you, please send it to another parent or your spouse. Join our community of families who are motivated to lead with love and live with intention by following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website