When families arrive to pick up their children, mini-reunions unfold. Children prattle confidently with news of their day. Parents listen gratefully. On other days, however, "release time" gets swept into a mudslide of missed connections. Exhausted parents may not be able to focus on their children's safety. Overwhelmed parents become argumentative. This article presents case studies illustrating what can be done to prevent child care providers, their program, and the children and families in the providers' care from being caught in the crossfire of release time mishaps.