You have definitely heard this scenario from parents. Their child is an angel at school and a terror at home. Normal? ABSOLUTELY. Just think about your own self regulation. You hold it together for your patients, for that work meeting, for a LONG day... and then chances are you fall apart somewhere, lose your temper with your partner or your kids, or feel just plain cranky as you binge watch late night TV. We all work hard to use our executive function skills - including self regulation - when it matters most, and fall apart where we feel safe. That means parents may be the safe harbor for the worst of the meltdowns.

Here's what you can do in practice:

Explain to parents that this is normal and share a few ways to help: having strong evening routines, making sure bedtime is early enough, and feeding dinner or a snack early in their child's afternoon.