My son is still having trouble with school drop off.
He doesn’t argue about getting dressed in the morning, or out the door. But he whispers ‘I don’t like school’ and ‘it’s not my favourite school’ a lot.
At drop off, some days he is still teary eyed, or clingy. It’s made easier when his teacher is in the yard and invites him in, it’s easier if I get there just as they line up to go inside. And once there, he seems to be doing really well. He speaks highly of it.
But he still says he doesn’t like it.
So I ask him why? What don’t you like about school? And there’s no real reason. No real source of stress. He likes his teacher, he likes learning, the other students don’t come up as an issue.
He just answers ‘It’s not my favourite’. And his favourite?
‘I want to be at home’.
How do I respond to that? Because really, we all want to be at home pal. You’re right, home is safe, and fun, and has all the people and stuff you like. He misses me. And wants to be home. It’s a valid point really, because I love being at home too, and I love it when he’s at home.
So, one day I tried something different. I tried explaining that like daddy leaves for work (usually), school is kind of his work.
His response?
‘I want to work from home today’.
Can’t say my kiddo isn’t smart at least 😉
My son is very similar. We’re just now getting past the “I don’t like school”. In all honesty, he loves school, his teacher, his friends. But he misses his family while he’s gone. Hopefully he’ll warm up to it soon, and the Holiday break isn’t too hard on him.
Love his response too!
Aw, that’s a totally sweet response (make sure you capture that in a memory book or something). Smart is right 😉
He’s in JK, right? It’s a tough call. Some kids really need JK and some don’t. Both years of kindergarten are optional, and if you don’t feel he’s getting enough value from it to be worth the stress, then maybe JK just isn’t for him. Maybe he’d be happier in one or two days of preschool instead, or even gymnastics or something like that. Just a chance to get him socialized and used to interacting with other kids and taking direction from another adult. Next year or even the year after, his attitude towards school may be entirely different.
That being said, I have a third grader who still doesn’t like school, or even leaving the house in general. It’s just his personality. We have the same conversation most mornings… it’s just him. Every once in a while I give him a “personal day” and let him stay home and play. It makes him happy and gives him a chance to decompress and I don’t think there’s any harm in it. Adults do it too 🙂
As I teacher I understand the importance of “mental health days”. During my maternity leave, I was able to let my DD’s stay home for a rest, and it made the world of difference the next day. All day full day school is taxing on little ones, sometimes a break is ok. If it becomes a habit it is a problem, If your child is in JK/SK it’s good to remember that school at this age is optional.
Do you have a friend you could leave your daughter with for a while? Maybe if you volunteered in his classroom once in a while it may help him with this transition.
K started out fine but suddenly we’re having issues in the morning. He wants to stay home, but can’t tell me why he doesn’t want to go to school.
I am spending a lot of energy trying to uncover the source of his unhappiness and anxiety, it’s upsetting! But maybe it’s just the change and how hard it is to get used to new things being permanent.
We definitely have hooky days sometimes and i’m hoping it will get easier! I hope it does for your ds too!
Awww! Yes, you can say your kiddo is smart. What a sweet response.
i wonder if it will get easier when your DD starts school? then he won’t think he is missing out on all of the fun at home?
That is very sweet, working from home. Clever little man you have. I am sorry that you are having difficulties still. I am not there yet, so can’t offer any concrete help. It sounds like you doing all the right things to support him. It will come, I am sure!