[Danzie]

DS5 started school last week. Cocky me, this is great, what an easy transition.

Fast forward to this week, teary at recess and lunch time yesterday and today I have been asked to pick him up early as he has been crying and asking for me all morning.

Ye ol' wise folk at EB, tell me it gets easier??! My heart was in shards leaving him crying at school but part of me thinks picking up early might be taking the easy way out.

I expected to get my tears out of the way on the first day!

Anyone else's LOs got the second week blues?

[lifehacker]

Happened to ds last year, first week was so exciting but by the 2nd week he was 'over it', school was boring and he wanted to be at home. He would cry and make such a fuss, it was heartbreaking. There was a really good thread in the FYOS 2012 where a lot of parents shared ideas for keeping them happier while at school. I was initially letting ds stay home some days and picking him up earlier (I even considered homeschooling!) but he eventually did settle and now he loves school, infact gets cranky of he gets picked up early and misses something (he'sin Yr 1).
Some ideas from the thread I think were to send a little picture of yourself for them to go and have a look at at recess, a clock/watch and show them the time/what the numbers will be when you will be back to pick them up. A small toy/teddy to keep in their bag for a cuddle.
I'll see if I can find the thread it had some great ideas that really helped us.

[lifehacker]

Found it!

It wasn't the FYOS thread, I started one about it, I am crying just remembering that time

http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/ind...howtopic=960898

[someusername]

My boy was heartbroken when he started prep so I used to spray some of my perfume on a tissue & also kiss it with lipstick on. He kept it in his pocket all day & if he missed me he had something physical to look at but not obtrusive. It worked for us. Good luck it really is heartbreaking

[cinderellainsydn...]

My DD also announced that she doesn't want to go to school anymore and at first it was a bit of a struggle. (Although she hasn't cried.)

We have been getting up earlier and spending time together before school eg a game of checkers or reading a book or watering the flowers. That way she gets her confidence because she feels loved and is ready for a big day at school. We don't talk about going to school because this leads to negotiation, we just spend time doing pleasant activities where she is in control and decides what she wants to do. Doing this before and after school even for 15 - 20 min improves her association with school days where she still gets plenty of positive attention. This appears to be working for us, so maybe you could try it also?

[Danzie]

Thanks guys and thanks lifehacker for that link, I'll have a read!

[Natttmumm]

DD is fluctuating between wanting to go and not wAnting to go. The more tired she is the less she wants to go. We have had tears but also bits where she is totally happy. We are just sticking with lots of praise and establishing the routine. I have been explaining the routine as we go each day.
DD loves routine and I've noticed a small change e.g. I drove today rather than walked and she cried over it. I'm expecting this for a few months
I am also finding not talking about it much is helping. Obviously I do if she brings it up. Not asking too many questions is helping.i have noticed after 2 questions she stops answering or gets cranky.
I also keep telling her stories of when I went to school. I do one story each night. She seems to like to hear that I was nervous too and it took time to make my best friends etc.

[cward]

I can't believe the school actually rang you to come and collect him. Our school would never do that and I would be questioning what procedures they have for dealing with unhappy kids. Personally I see that they are saying to him "well if you cry alot we will let you go home" not really helping him settle in and get used to being at school IMO

[heffalumpsnwoozl...]

I hope we're not on the way to tears! This morning DD1 wanted me to stay at school with her. Luckily she seemed to get over it quite quickly when a teacher came and had a chat with her though.