Monday, September 27, 2010

School Days

So I thought that Griffin was in love with school. Now I'm starting to wonder.

It's little things. Like the comment about wanting to go back to Preschool. The fact that he's suddenly been wetting his bed, nearly nightly, for about oh, two weeks.

And then it's big things. Like the MASSIVE fit he pitched this morning as the school bus pulled up. I dragged his kicking and flailing body across the road. Tried to get him on the bus. Failed. It didn't really help that it was a substitute bus driver, that looked a little bit a lot like a creepy pedophile. He escaped my grasp, and ran across the road back towards the house. The very busy highway road.

Yeah, that one.

So what gives? His regular teacher was away on Friday, and I wonder if that doesn't have something to do with it.

He says he likes school, lord knows he loved preschool. The last thing I want is for the next 14 years to be hell on wheels because he hates going to school.

Help! Got any first timers in the house? How are they handling the transition? Got any tips? What about all you teacher peeps out there? How about some tips from your end!

4 comments:

Tawny said...

I've got a little guy who just started pre-school and is in shock. He gets so worked up about having to go to school (only 3 days a week) that the days he's not there, he feels sick and won't move off the couch. Eeeps!

I've been reading "The Highly Sensitive Child" (helping our children thrive when the world overwhelms them) by Elaine Aron. It has some good suggestions so far.

Hopefully it will get better for the both of us. I'll be paying attention to the comments you get. Maybe there will be a miracle solution!

Julia Hale said...

I'd contact the kindergarten teacher - she probably has a whole different perspective (our kids can be whole different people at school) and teacher:parent contact is ALWAYS a good thing.

Sara said...

First time in JK right here! Volatile, over-sensitive, mean to his brother, crying. I think 'overwhelmed' is the perfect summary. Loving school but having trouble processing all the newness.

Kristen said...

Hi Jenn
Totally normal but you have got to stick to your guns and get that kid there! I know you will cuz you're a good mom. You'll feel crummy (and cry!!) but trust me he'll eventually realize that going to school is not a choice. 99% of JK kiddies figure it all out by November.

Like Julia said, call the teacher. Griffin is a physical, active guy. Sometimes adjusting to sitting still and listening is really really hard. Ask the teacher if that's a problem for him. Then ask the teacher to set small achievable goals. We do this all the time in JK/SK/Gr 1, especially for active boys. Something like: Do this printing first, then you get 10 mins with the lego. Good luck! I feel your pain!