Spring Slide or Spring Stress?

Spring Slide or Spring Stress?

How to spot dysregulation disguised as “defiance” (and what to do next)

If behavior has been louder, sassier, more emotional, more distracted, or more “I don’t care”… you’re not alone.

This time of year, a lot of kids aren’t choosing to be difficult — they’re showing us their nervous system is running over capacity.

3R Reminder: Regulation before rigor.
Before we correct, we connect.

✅ 3 Signs it may be dysregulation (not “defiance”)

1. Fast flips: fine one minute → meltdown the next

2. Low frustration tolerance: tears, arguing, shutting down over small things

3. Avoidance behaviors: “I hate this,” “I’m bored,” wandering, joking, refusing, procrastinating

 3 Common spring triggers

• Routine drift (late nights, schedule changes, testing, activities)

• Mental fatigue (long stretch of expectations without recovery)

• More demands + less capacity (executive function wears down over time)

3 Quick resets that work in REAL homes & classrooms

1) Body reset (30–60 seconds)

Try: wall push-ups, chair push-downs, “carry something heavy,” or 10 slow squats.

2) Breath + rhythm reset (30 seconds)

Try: inhale 4… exhale 6… while tapping a steady rhythm on your legs or desk.

3) Demand reset (2 minutes)

Lower the entry point without lowering the standard:

• “Start with just one.”

• “Show me your first step.”

• “Do 2 minutes and we’ll check in.”

Community question:

What are you noticing more right now — big emotions, task refusal, or distraction?
Reply with one, and I’ll suggest a matching regulation strategy.