Ugh! I'm going crazy Grade 1 and separation anxiety *resolved* thank you :)

[Mamacitac]

My son (6) just started grade 1 this year, he is still crying when I drop him off. He demands I walk him to his class but I just can't do it, as badly as I want to; it's just not allowed apparently. I still spy (without him seeing me) to see how he's making out but when I see him cry I run to the rescue. I know it will be easier just to walk off, and he'll eventually stop but I don't have the heart to!

Anyhow else dealing with this? HELP!! lol

[Mamacitac]

uh oh..I think I have this post in the wrong forum (?) LOL
Maybe it should be in 'Childhood Years?'

Let me know

[Porcelain Interior]

Well I was with my child in line (weren't allowed to walk into the classroom in 1st) and there was a couple kids that cried (parents just did a drop off) the very first day, and one that was still sad the second day, but then it stopped. I know with my child if I continued to come each time she cried she'd never stop, but that's my child. You have to go with your gut.

I think he will be ok if you work on the routine and he knows exactly whats going to happen. Maybe you can tell him that you'll wave to him from the window of his class if it's easily accessible? Then blow him a kiss or something?

Can the teacher pair him up with a buddy? At our school they usually have an older child or peer as a guide for the transitions.

[neetling]

We are allowed to walk our kids in. I did for the first 2 days and then let her walk in by herself. She ran out at the end of that day crying and asked me to walk her in from now on. It was too hard on her. My husband walked her in today (I'm not feeling well) and she still cried. She wanted me to go too.

I feel terrible for her. She doesn't cry long and she still wants to go, but it's obviously sad for her.

I have her a kissing hand this morning and a note for her pocket.

I kept her home for Kindy last year so this is the first time we've really been separated.

I think it'll be okay, it's just hard. My heart hurts for her.

[KweenKrunch]

Have you considered homeschool?

[JL83]

Have you tried giving him a super special present for his pocket? Like a rock or something that you guys could find on a special walk together one day? I used to babysit for a kid who had a very hard time going to kindergarten (and he had 2 older brothers at the school) and his parents did that. He had a rock that they'd drawn a silly face on with a Sharpie and it fit perfectly in his pocket.

My DD is only 3, but she goes through phases where she has a hard time being dropped off at daycare. We have a "routine" and then we have a "hard day" routine. She knows what they both are and she does cry when I leave at the end of our hard day routine (I will stay for 15 minutes but I have to work so longer isn't possible). I've had to be strong and walk out. We don't have a choice. After a few days it gets better and we go back to her saying bye to me on her own after 2 or 3 minutes.

If we get into a co-dependent cycle it is hard to break out. I want to stay because she's sad, and because I'm there she can't move on.

[vegemamato]

Originally Posted by KweenKrunch

Have you considered homeschool?

that's what I was gonna say!

[ollyoxenfree]

Assuming homeschool isn't an option, here are a couple of thoughts -

Have you spoken to his teacher? Can s/he meet him and distract him with a task or an activity as he comes in? Something like helping her to set out some materials or prepare the calendar/weather chart for her. He will feel needed and connected.

Has he made a friend in the class yet? Can they meet up first and walk in together? Again, he will feel more connected, and won't be focussed on feeling abandoned.

Is there anything in particular bothering him about this class, the teacher, his classmates? I'd make sure there was nothing else going on.

Is there anything stressful happening at home right now, that's adding to his general anxiety level?

Hope that helps and he adjusts soon. Good luck!

[Mamacitac]

Hey ladies, I am SO sorry for posting and running, for a like a couple of months!! I got my net disconnected to catch up on some small bills like maybe a week after I posted this!! PLUS I forgot I even posted.

Thank you SO much for your replies, I read every one of them.

My son is no longer crying and even walks in his class all by his lonesome.
The only problem I have NOW Is him "hating" going to school Ugh. You win some, you lose some!!

[Mamacitac]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree

Assuming homeschool isn't an option, here are a couple of thoughts -

Have you spoken to his teacher? Can s/he meet him and distract him with a task or an activity as he comes in? Something like helping her to set out some materials or prepare the calendar/weather chart for her. He will feel needed and connected.

Has he made a friend in the class yet? Can they meet up first and walk in together? Again, he will feel more connected, and won't be focussed on feeling abandoned.

Is there anything in particular bothering him about this class, the teacher, his classmates? I'd make sure there was nothing else going on.

Is there anything stressful happening at home right now, that's adding to his general anxiety level?

Hope that helps and he adjusts soon. Good luck!

Hi. I would LOVE to home school but having so many children it will drive me crazy! and that's not fair to me or my kids. (lol)

He now has tons of friends- thank god! and that (I think) made it a lot easier for him to settle in.

And nothing at home as changed or been troublesome, so I can't imagine that was his problem? We moved to a new location from another school not too long before he started grade 1, so THAT could have been a major issue as well. I've also had 2 parent teacher conferences and they went well and his sweet heart of a teacher really helped him feel wanted and loved. Which I think ROCKS!

Thanks again xo

[Mamacitac]

Originally Posted by JL83

Have you tried giving him a super special present for his pocket? Like a rock or something that you guys could find on a special walk together one day? I used to babysit for a kid who had a very hard time going to kindergarten (and he had 2 older brothers at the school) and his parents did that. He had a rock that they'd drawn a silly face on with a Sharpie and it fit perfectly in his pocket.

.

AWWW that is such a sweet idea!
I gave him pics of us, and he said he didn't want to be a baby and take them. It helps that his 2 older brothers go to his school and see him at recesses and lunch time!