Our boy started kindergarten one week ago today. He was so excited and loved everything about it.
The next day: Tears. And the next. And the next. And the next. And the next.
To say that we have been surprised by this is an understatement. One thing that C has always been is enthusiastic about school. But another thing that he has always been is unpredictable. Just when you think he'll zig, he zags. Just because he can.
He likes his teacher. He likes the activities. He likes recess. He's making friends. He likes everything about it. Except...
"It's too long."
"The cookies taste bad."
"The school is too white." (We thought he was being very smart about the need for ethnic diversity, but alas, he was talking about the color of the walls. Clearly someone in this house has been watching too much HGTV.)
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Do you think that he is trying to break our hearts one tiny tear at a time?
Awww...
ReplyDeleteWhen I was teaching, I had a girl who cried every single morning for two years. Mind you, she was in special education classes and was a teenager...but we never could figure out why. She enjoyed school-had many friends and did well. But her anxiety overwhelmed her every morning and we saw tears (as I'm sure her parents did, too). I hope this story doesn't depress you-but this happens and there may be nothing you can do to make it stop. He just needs to feel more comfortable and get past this on his own. I'm sure he knows you are there and would do anything for him-just reassure him, hug him and smile.
Hugs to you all! Hope it ends soon!
Yep, could be. No, seriously, he probably just doesn't like to say goodbye to his mama. I used to work at a drop-in nursery at a YMCA and 99% of the kids would stop crying when dropped off after a few days. Once dropped off they'd cry for 5-10 minutes and then they'd be like "hey cool toy" and start playing. They are testing how much control they have in the relationship. If I cry will mom make me stay? Once in a blue moon we'd have a child that would cry for 20 minutes (our limit) and we'd have to go get his/her mama. But that rarely happened. If he has all day kindergarten then he's right...it IS too long.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys. I agree with you Jemm. It IS too long, but we waited an extra year for him to start kindergarten. He could have gone last year (his bday is June 28th and the cutoff is August 1st), but we just knew that it was too much for him, too soon. Now, I don't know, I just thought that he was ready. I hope, Lee, that this isn't going to be a long-term issue. I really want him to like school, not dread it. I'm just praying that he doesn't get sick because if he has to stay home I may never get him to go back! Parenting is such a breeze (Ha!)
ReplyDeleteoh I hate to hear that! Does he say he doesn't want to go or is he just crying? E cries in the morning sometimes when he is tired. We don't like getting up early!! I try to make sure that he's in bed early at night. Once he gets out the door he's fine. Who knows?! They are unpredictable, that's for sure! I hope it gets better. Maybe it will just take some getting used to. Poor guy...hang in there!
ReplyDeleteDestiny: He says that he doesn't want to go, that it's too long and he gets teary. Sleep is a real issue. The last two nights have been better, but before that he was waking up 5-6 times a night. He likes his teacher and he always comes home happy. It's just the getting there that seems to be the problem. Hopefully it will get better soon!
ReplyDeleteI teach Kindergarten and have had many children like this in the past. All day Kindergarten is NOT for every child. It IS a long day. If he is enjoying school, and is happy when he gets home, then I encourage you to keep reassuring him, keep to a routine, and continue to talk to him about all the things he enjoys. He'll get used to the longer day, and I've discovered that sometimes tears in the morning are for Mom's benefit. This too will pass!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane Anne! It sounds like we are doing the right things and so far (at 7:32 am) this morning, breakfast is being eaten and we haven't had any tears. I probably just jinxed myself! :)
ReplyDeleteI know it's so not funny, but I laughed out loud at the 'it is too white' reason. I hope things get better for him soon!
ReplyDeleteIt's okay. I laughed too! Things are much better!
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