The October Wobble: Why Kids Feel "Off" Six Weeks Into School

The October Wobble: Why Kids Feel "Off" Six Weeks Into School

By Patricia Lemos Oliveira, Founder of Upside Down Yoga Kids

Remember those first days of school? New backpacks, new friends, and that bright, nervous excitement. Now it's October, and for many families something has shifted. Maybe your child is melting down the moment they walk through the door. Maybe bedtime has become a battle, or your usually easygoing kid is suddenly tearful over a sock that "feels wrong."

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and nothing is wrong with your child. Many parents notice this pattern around this time of year. I like to call it the October Wobble.

What's really happening

In September, the novelty of a new school year carries kids forward. By October, that adrenaline has faded, and the real work of the school year has settled in: early mornings, long days of focusing, following rules, managing friendships, and sitting still far longer than young bodies are designed to.

All day long, children work hard to hold it together. Then they come home to the place where they feel safest, and everything they've been holding comes out. Some educators call this "after-school restraint collapse." It can look like big emotions, defiance, or exhaustion, but at its root it's a nervous system that's been "on" all day and finally needs to let go.

The good news is that we can help kids release that stress in healthy ways. Children's bodies respond beautifully to simple movement, breath, and rhythm. These are tools they can learn early and carry with them for life.

Three calming tools to try at home this week

1. Balloon Belly Breathing. Have your child lie down with a small stuffed animal on their belly. As they breathe in slowly through the nose, the belly fills like a balloon and the animal rises. As they breathe out slowly, the animal gently sinks. Five or six breaths are enough. A longer exhale tells the body it's safe to relax.

2. Push the Wall.

 When energy is running high, ask your child to place both hands on a wall and push as hard as they can for ten seconds, then release and shake out their arms. Repeat three times. This "heavy work" helps restless bodies discharge tension and feel grounded, and it's especially helpful right after school.

3. Listen to the Fading Sound. 

Ring a bell, chime, or singing bowl (or tap a glass gently with a spoon). Invite your child to close their eyes and raise a hand when they can no longer hear the sound. This simple game draws their attention inward and quiets a busy mind in under a minute. The key is consistency rather than perfection. A few minutes each day, ideally at the same time, such as right after school or before bed, helps kids build the habit of returning to calm on their own.

How we support this in our programs

This is exactly why I created the Upside Down Yoga Kids after-school program. Each session combines 30 minutes of yoga, using my Somatic Method focused on nervous system relaxation and emotional regulation, with 30 minutes of hands-on arts and crafts using sustainable, low-mess materials. Children leave feeling calmer, more connected to their bodies, and proud of something they made with their own hands.

Classes are designed for two age groups, young learners (ages 3–6) and older kids (ages 6–12), so every activity meets children where they are.

Enrollment is now open for our Winter After School Program at partner sites across Marin County. Link:  Winter After School Program

And if your child has energy to spare, keep an eye out for Movement Lab, our seasonal weekend workshop blending movement, storytelling, and art to build strength and coordination. Link: Movement Lab - Weekend Workshop

A gentle reminder for parents

When your child wobbles this month, try to remember that a meltdown is often a sign of trust. They're letting go with you because you are their safe place. And on the days when you're wobbling too, take a balloon belly breath right alongside them. Calm is contagious, in the best way.

With warmth,

Patricia

Upside Down Yoga Kids

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