She's going to be okay, right?

[Magella]

This is my dd's 5th day of kindergarten, and although she's made a new friend and seems to enjoy it (despite being a little bored at being taught "baby things" like how to hold her pencil) today she was so sad and didn't want to go.

I feel awful. She's my baby. My oldest, the first to go to school. I want to hold her and hug her and keep her right next to me all day instead of sending her to school all day (8:30-2:45). I'm having trouble letting go of my perception of homeschooling being so much better than public school even though I know that, at least right now, homeschooling is definitely not the best choice for our family.

It's so hard to let go. Please tell me it gets easier.

[Losgann]

My dd just started kindergarten 12 days ago. Seems like so much longer than that! :LOL She went to preschool last year 4 hours a day 5 days a week (drop off to pick up) and I still cried when I dropped her off the first day of Kindergarten. Her teacher is the same kindy teacher my son had and I am so thrilled to have her- and I still cried! Every morning the first week or so when I dropped her off I'd turn around and walk down the hall feeling like I was forgetting someone.

She does have mornings where she wakes up and swears she's "NEVER GOING BACK EVER AGAIN!" but once she's awake and out the door she can't wait to get there. She sits at her desk, laughs with her friends and has fun with her assignments. Is your dd like this too? Is she still sad when you leave her in the mornings? Can you call the teacher or email and check up on her? Or come in to monitor her, just to see?

It does get easier. My dd is so excited, she *loves* the schoolwork, and coming home and doing homework. Her brother is 3 1/2 years older so she's grown up watching him and she's been ready for this since she was 2!

I see her making friends and getting more independent. She wants brother to pick her up after school and walk her to the front of the school today!

I'm trying to let go too! You're not alone!!

[LovemyBoo]

Does she enjoy it once she's there? That's key, imho. My poor mother went through a terrible time with me in kindergarten. I would sit on the porch and sob. BUT I always loved it once I got there. Once I got that connection, it took a few weeks, poor mom, I no longer made a big scene.

If your dd seems to like school once she's there I'd just be sympathetic and keep reminding her of the good time she has in school. Time and lots of hugs will take care of it. If she doesn't than it's worth looking into a little more. There may be something going on that she's not telling you or not able to tell you.

Good luck!

[Magella]

She does seem to enjoy it once she's there, and once we're on our way there she perks up a bit (after some hugs, holding hands while we walk, and talking about her feelings) and when we get there she separates easily with a quick hug and kiss. She always comes out at the end of the day with a big smile and a few stories. She particularly enjoys having her friend in class with her, eating lunch together and playing together at recess. She says she likes a lot of what they do, though she is also a little disappointed because what school is actually like does not match the expectations she had before school started. Mixed feelings, I think, plus she has said she misses me and her siblings a little while she's at school.

I guess it's just a big adjustment, for both of us. I did not expect it to be this hard for me. I expected it to be a little hard for her. I did not expect to be sitting here crying like I'm grieving, which maybe I am a little. My girl got so big. It happened so fast.

[wildmonkeys]

My ds started last week and he seems to be having a pretty good time, but I am also grieving. I just flat out miss him. It also has given me one-on-one time with my younger son and that has made me think alot about my older son at this age and just realize that I also just miss him a toddler (though I enjoy him as a bigger kid too)

It is just hard, but I have found it better this (second) week. I think it must be even harder for you if you think of homeschooling as better since I don't and am still finding it difficult.

Good luck - it is harder than I expected to watch them get bigger

BJ
Barney & Ben

[wildmonkeys]

Not to hijack this thread, but I feel like I need to add something since it seems this thread was discussed on another board : MY DS loves school - he actually begged to go today even though his neck was so sore he could hardly turn his head. He didn't want to miss a number of activities that were going on that he was looking forward to and cried when I kept him home.

I am sad to be spending less time with him, but if he wants to do different things on his own I am happy for him to explore his world on his terms rather than imposing my needs onto him. As an ap - I respond to his needs, I don't expect him to respond to mine. These comments aren't for the op but just to clarify after having read to "poor moms" post...

BJ
Barney & Ben