Sunday, September 30, 2012

I Don't Want to go to School Anymore


All Summer, Little One was anxiously awaiting the commencement of Junior Kindergarten.  She was SO excited to be going to school.

Week one, and she was really happy and loved school, her teacher, her friends, the bus ride, and being able to go off on her own like a big kid.

Week two, and everything went downhill.  She was afraid of the "big kids" and this fear of being hurt has become a big issue, as she doesn't want to go to school in the morning. Every morning, it's the same thing.  I wake her up with hugs and kisses, a Good Morning song that I came up with, and a "Ready to have a great day today?"

She pulls the cover over her head and cries, "I don't want to go to school!"  Then she pleads, "I just want to stay home with you, Mama! I won't bother you. I'll let you work."  Finally, the "But, the big kids will hurt me! I'm worried about the big kids!"

I console her and ensure her that she will be fine and that the big kids I know will watch out for her.  She is, after all, one of the youngest and tiniest kids in school, and everyone bigger than her is a "big kid" to her.

After tears and lots of pleading, she always agrees (reluctantly) to get dressed and ready for school, have breakfast and walk to the bus stop with Mom.  While at the bus stop, she always seems fine. She loves her bus driver and now she sits with one of the older girls at the back of the mini bus.  There are only eight kids on the bus when everyone is present.

When I pick her up at the bus stop after school, she's always full of big smiles and going on about how "School was SUPER FUN today! I had a really, really, really great time, Mom! We learned about butterflies and Monarchs go to MEXICO! My friend was looking for worms at recess, but she didn't find any, and..."

Help! Parents, any tips on dealing with children who don't want to go to school? The constant battle every morning, trying to convince her that all will be well every morning...it's so hard!

8 comments:

Lena! said...

Every morning Ryder tells me "That's enough school! That's too much school!" but comes home all smiles. I think it's just part of the learning curve and eventually your LO will feel comfortable. The best you can do is to put her on that bus every morning! I also make a point of talking about all the fun things Ryder does at school - to get him psyched up!

Unknown said...

Lena:
Thanks for that :) Yes, it's a great habit to make --telling them how much fun they're going to have at school. She adores her teacher and loves doing crafts and activities in class. I try to tell her every morning that she's going to have a blast with all her friends.

Oh, boy. Parenting is not for the faint of heart. LOL!

Multi-Testing Mommy said...

I agree with Lena - that the best thing you can do is to keep the momentum! Remind her about the happy things she told you the day before about what she learned or did (be specific) and stay positive and strong (which I know is hard to do in this situation).

Give her a photo of you to stick in her pocket perhaps?

Give her something to look forward to for the end of the day that she can do with you once she has a great day at school first.

Good luck and this will get easier!

My daughter had a similar thing - she went to school for the first month and then all of a sudden she didn't want to go any more. I don't want to share this, but it does give you hope....this continued until the week before school let out for Christmas break. Then, one morning, she woke up and was excited to go to school. I was in such shock, I almost didn't believe it, but we walked to the bus (something we had given up on...I had been driving her) and on she went and she never turned back again!

Unknown said...

Multi-Testing Mom:
Awww! Thanks so much for sharing! I actually feel a lot better now. What a great idea of giving her a photo to keep in her pocket.

Deep breaths...I know things will get better. She loves school when she's there. It's just the mornings that are a killer! LOL!

Journeys of The Zoo said...

So sorry to hear that Little One and you are having some challenges. I don't have any advice, only support. I'm taking notes for next year...

Besos, Sarah
Zookeeper at Journeys of The Zoo

Unknown said...

Sarah:
Thanks for the support, amiga! Yes, it's been a challenge! That's for sure! Last week seemed better. Fingers crossed! She's been coming home HAPPY and full of smiles, so I'm hoping things get easier...SOON! :)

Kimberly said...

You are preaching to the choir...Chase had such a hard time. He still is reluctant to go to school.
What I do is I bought a bunch of fun snacks that he normally doesn't get at home. Like Scooby Doo jelly things and Icing dip cookie things. I write him a little note on it with a sticker and put it in his lunch pail.
I tell him in the morning that if he goes to school and tries his hardest that there is a special snack in his lunch. Works like a charm!

Unknown said...

Kimberly:
What a fab idea! Thanks so much for sharing that tip! I try to get Little One all psyched for an awesome, fun day at school, I make fun lunches for her, and even bribe her (YES! I bribe her!! Embarrassed to admit, but I do!) with either a fun activity or a treat if she has an awesome day at school.

Things can only get better, right? :) lol

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City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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