Angel at school, tornado at home? Welcome to the Jekyll and Hyde effect of parenting. Here’s why it happens, what it really means, and how to survive the after-school meltdowns without losing your cool.

When your child clings at the school gate, it’s not a failure — it’s a feeling. Starting Reception is a big leap, and drop-off wobbles are more common than you think. This blog unpacks what’s really happening under those first-day nerves and gives you simple, honest ways to build independence without ignoring the emotions.