Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

Megan is having a really rough time. I thought last year was bad? This is INSANE. She cries from 6 the previous night about not wanting to go to school..wakes up crying and throws a FIT when entering school. Just this morning she almost pulled the teacher down because she was so upset (and she's STRONG!). She says it's a LONG day and that she doesn't want to rest (which is an issue of mine with the class---an hour rest time which I have posted about).

I have tried everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. She's a stubborn little girl and it is heartbreaking for both me and her. I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through this with their kids? I really didn't think she would have this hard of a time. It's the first week in and I am EXHAUSTED physically, mentally and EMOTIONALLY!

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

I have a friend who's son is throwing up on his way to the bus stop and at school. He cries all morning. I feel horrible for them My DD gave me a little bit of a hard time the first week or so but we are into a routine thankfully. Honestly I bribed her. I told her if she is good and doesn't cry or give me a hard time we would go to TRU and let her pick something out. As soon as she got off the bus we headed to the store and it worked! Good luck!

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

I am all for bribes, I mean positive reinforcement Why don't you make a school chart. For every day she enter school with no tears/fight she gets to put a sticker on her chart. After a certain amount of stickers she gets a special treat. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, maybe a trip to the ice cream shop, new coloring books, dollar store toy of her choice, etc... Whatever you think would work for her.

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

Uggh, my heart breaks for Megan. I have no words or wisdom. L loves school, from the start. A on the other hand, took a long time to warm up. there were crying fit days as well. He just didn't like change. Megan probably will take some time to adjust. And I always thought "great, A has adjusted and now the school year is over and he's got to start again with a new teacher!" Well, by that time, being in the same school, he was comfortable and outgrew it! She will too, hang in there

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

My son loves school, but he's always been that way. He has a tough time sitting still, and probably always will as well.

Have you tried talking with the school psychologist? Perhaps they can offer her some type of social group to help her adjust.

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

Posted by nferrandi

I am all for bribes, I mean positive reinforcement Why don't you make a school chart. For every day she enter school with no tears/fight she gets to put a sticker on her chart. After a certain amount of stickers she gets a special treat. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, maybe a trip to the ice cream shop, new coloring books, dollar store toy of her choice, etc... Whatever you think would work for her.

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

Posted by steph4777

Posted by nferrandi

I am all for bribes, I mean positive reinforcement Why don't you make a school chart. For every day she enter school with no tears/fight she gets to put a sticker on her chart. After a certain amount of stickers she gets a special treat. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, maybe a trip to the ice cream shop, new coloring books, dollar store toy of her choice, etc... Whatever you think would work for her.

We've done something like this for other issues we've had with the boys and it has worked. I think it's worth a try.

Good luck.

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

Bribes don't work AT ALL with DD.... we've tried all sorts of sticker charts, rewards, etc. She is stubborn way beyond what any reward chart can address.

Sorry, I have no suggestions. If I did, I'd use them on my DC.....

THIS EXACTLY!!!!!!!

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

I think you just have to ride it out. Keep reassuring her and keep bringing her to school and doing your best to leave her at the door and let her learn on her own that she will be ok. It's a HUGE adjustment, and I see the same things with kids in my daughter's class, too. It's not uncommon and she WILL adjust. She has no choice but to. I know it's hard to see her so upset and it's hard to handle her at home, but give it some time. It was the first full week

Re: Anyone else having a HARD time with their Kindergartner?

We are daling with this now with DS. I have made many posts about it because I am so upset and didn't know what to do. We seem to be headed down the right path now. Here is what happened with us.....

Wed and thurs (first 2 days of school) he was ok, he cried a little going in...nothing bad, stopped soon after being in class.

Friday he had a fit going in, but was ok for most of the day, told me he crie in lunch. Monday wasn't too bad, pretty much like the 1st 2 days. Tuesday was a nightmare. He threw a fit when I brought him and cried on and off all morning til they finally decided I should come get him I picked him up just before noon. The principal suggested maybe easing him in to the full day. I was against it at first, but after speaking to a few teacher friends that know my DS well we decided to try it.

Wednesday he had a horrible drop off, told him i'd pick him up at 1215 and that if he had a good day the teacher would give him a sticker which he could then use to do fun things with me or daddy. He was inconsolable for a while so he went down to the school psychologists office til he got himself together. He colored there etc. And was then fine when he went back to class (after about an hour) He got his sticker and chose playing baseball with daddy after dinner.

Thursday horrible drop off, again inconsolable went to the office for about 45 min and then was good when he returned to his class, got his sticker, used it to go to dinner at my parents house (which we had planned anway, but he didn't know that). I picked him up at 1:15.

Friday was more of the same, but I picked him up at 2:15. Spoke to the teacher, she said he is good once he comes back from the office, but when he first comes in he is crying loudly and is disruptive so now we will be working with the counselor to keep him 30 min Monday, 25 Tuesday, 20 wednesday etc.....I will also be telling him I am picking him up at 3:15 (which is when school is over, but i'm not going to say you are staying all day) In addition, he will not get a sticker from his teacher if he doesn't listen when he first comes into class....like when she tells him to hang up his back pack, take out his folder etc.

We have been:

reading The Kissing Hand and sending him to school with a kissing hand.
letting him take his blankie in his back pack
takes pictures of us to school with him, they stay on his table
sticker reward as described above
gradually making the day longer

all together these things seem to be working, but he is still having a complete meltdown every morning.

If you would like to talk i'm here...if you want anymore info about what has been working for us just lmk.

I'm so sorry. I know how heart breaking it is. DS had a hard time with nursery school and pre-k too, but he'd cry for 2 minutes after I left and that was it. I think the difference this year is that the day is just sooo long. Plus he JUST turned 5 a month ago, so he is young.

eta: bribes don't work usually work on DS, but sinc his reward is something that means alot to him it is helping to motivate him.

Try to be very matter of fact about everything...Her: but i dooonn't wannnaaa gooo tooo school. You: I know you don't want to, but you have to go. Her: but i will miiiiiissssss yooouuuuu You: I will miss you, but I will pick you up right here after school.

Also as little time as possible spent saying good bye helps. I have always been fine with pulling him off my leg and leaving.....it is knowing that he is crying half the day that is wripping my heart out. The image of him sitting at the lunch table crying is so sad

etaa: you may have to be doing everything for a while. If you are seeing the slightest bit of improvement then keep it up, its working. Do all the things people have suggested until it works. Thats what we have been doing and i am see tiny little improvements.

Message edited 9/17/2011 8:35:22 PM.