1. The "Safe Harbor"

After holding it together all day in a school environment that constantly challenges them, children with dyslexia often come home exhausted. This is sometimes called "restraint collapse"—where they melt down the moment they walk through the door.

As a parent, your instinct might be to jump into "fix-it" mode: asking about grades, checking homework, or drilling flashcards. However, research suggests a different approach is more effective for their long-term well-being.

The Research: The Power of the Bond A 2023 scoping review found that parental stress is strongly linked to a child's psychosocial adjustment . If you are anxious about their reading, they absorb that anxiety. Conversely, a 2024 study found that strong parent-child bonds can actually act as a buffer, protecting children from developing behavioral problems even when they are struggling at school .

The Strategy: Be the Sanctuary Your most important job is not to be a second teacher; it is to be the Safe Harbor.

• The Shift: When they walk in the door, prioritize connection before correction. Validate their fatigue.

• The Goal: Make home the one place where they are defined by their kindness, their humor, and their creativity—not by their reading speed. By lowering the pressure at home, you build the emotional resilience they need to face the pressure at school.