She Was Fine in the Car. Then She Hit the Kitchen Floor.

by Dr. Jazmine

Jul 20, 2026

Connect with TMP

Last year, early in the school year, my daughter was completely fine on the ride home. We were all having a great ride home catching up on our day. We pulled into the driveway, walked inside, and immediately dropped on the kitchen floor. She wasn’t crying or upset. Just…cooked. 🔥 She wouldn't move or respond and completely checked out.

I stood there thinking: What just happened?? My husband even looked at me, like "What happened?" to which I had to explain, "We were doing great in the car but something shifted…"

After reading this week's issue, you'll know:

Why your child can hold it together all day at school and completely fall apart the second they see you
The psychological term for what you just witnessed, and why understanding it changes everything
What to do (and not do) in the first 15 minutes after pickup
The exact scripts for whatever version of fallout shows up in your house, meltdown, attitude, or total silence

Okay, let's get into it.

This post is for paying subscribers only

Upgrade

Already have an account? Log in

Better Behavior in 30 Days, Phase 4: I Threatened to Take Away "All the Fun Stuff" Over a Slow Sunday Walk

Phase 4: Get Ahead of the Next Blowup (A Plan for the Moment You Can See Coming) On Sundays, we go on a family nature walk on one of our favorite trails. On one recent Sunday, one of my daughters was slow moving and sulking a little. Everyone else was ready and waiting on her. As the minutes ticked by, I could feel my patience going. "Let's go," I said. "I expect cooperation if you want to ke...

Better Behavior in 30 Days, Phase 3: When You Say No and Your Child Screams Even Louder

Phase 3: Hold the Line When They Melt Down Without Yelling or Giving In It was bedtime, which in our house means for my 3-year-old bath, then a little play with his toys, then books, and then lights out. On this particular night, he was deep into his wooden pizza and cake set, slicing, topping, and running his own little restaurant, while I tidied his room and made his bed the way I always do...

Better Behavior in 30 Days, Phase 2: I Stood in a Hallway for 30 Seconds, Convinced I Was Losing

Phase 2: Respond Differently: The Outcome Doesn't Move, But Everything Else Can My daughters recently came home from a playdate, and I could tell before either of them said a word that something had happened because one of them was quiet and withdrawn. I asked her sister if something happened and that's when it came out. The friend who'd hosted the playdate is close with one of my daughters, ...

She Was Fine in the Car. Then She Hit the Kitchen Floor.

This post is for paying subscribers only

Join Our Free Trial