A single consistent phrase said at the door every school day: 'You're home. Nothing is required.' Not 'welcome home', not 'how was your day.' Just those six words, said calmly. Within 2-3 weeks, the phrase begins to function as a regulatory signal independent of its content. The explicit statement 'nothing is required' addresses the social performance demand that follows children home from school more directly than any activity can. Three seconds. Said the same way every day.

How to do it

1'You're home. Nothing is required.' Say it the same way every day.
2Don't add to it. No 'how was school' attached. Just those six words.
3Then step back. The phrase does its work if you let it.

Variations

If they ignore the phrase or push past it — say nothing more. The words land even if the response doesn't show.
How it ends: step back after the phrase. Let the permission create space. Movement toward you means you're available; wait for them to initiate.

💡 Parent tip

The phrase only works if the statement is true. If you say 'nothing is required' and then immediately ask about school, you've broken the signal. Keep the next 10-15 minutes genuinely demand-free.

What your child develops

Conditioned safety signal — a consistent phrase repeated daily becomes associated with safety and freedom from demand
Explicit permission — naming 'nothing is required' addresses the performance demand directly, in language accessible even to a depleted child