Kindergarten Blues.. - Islip Terrace,NY

Updated on October 04, 2010
H.D. asks from Islip Terrace, NY
7 answers

Kindergarten Blues..

My son was the first one out of bed on the first day of school, tapping his foot and begging me to hurry up so he could catch the bus. The first day turned out to be quite the success, both he and his twin sister had a "great" time and "love" their new school.

Sigh..... swhoo.. bullet dodged... (on the contrary)

We are now headed into our 3rd full week and the air has seeped out of my son's balloon. He came home this past Friday with a picture for me with the words "I LOVE YOU" on the back. He continued to tell me he made this picture at school when he got the sniffles because he missed me. RECORD SCRATCH.... as he told me this my son's face fell and his lips quivered, he was trying his best NOT to cry. My little boy missed me... awhhhhh! I swept him up and hugged him as hard as I could. My son isn't the most affectionate kid, he gives hugs from time to time and when I beg for a kiss, he'll tilt his head so I can peck the top.. (Not on the face Mom!)

I'm not a stay at home Mom, I work part time and am lucky enough to put the kids on the bus and get them off everyday. We spend a decent amount of time together, but unfortunately, it's less time compared to Pre-K. I think my son is feeling nostalgic for his routine prior to Kindergarten. He misses the days we would just hang out at home and didn't have to play "beat the clock." He misses having his sister by his side. He misses watching the Backyardigans before bed. He misses "simpler times.."

I know it's just Kindergarten and "little kids, little problems" but right now.. my heart is a big pile of mush and I need advice on how to make it easier for him. I'm considering home schooling... (just kidding) but if it goes on for too long, not sure I wouldn't do something rash!

HELP!
Sad Mom..

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Awwwwww...what a sweetie pie.
I've always thought they needed to have therapists available for the moms of Kindergarteners!

All I can tell you is that is does get better. (Or at least it did in my case!)

Make your together time as special as you can and just let him do the things he is missing.

Sometimes, what I do (mine is now in 2nd) is get him something special (just little things) and leave them on his bed to find when he gets home.

You give your kids roots and wings and this is the beginning of the wings part! (The hard part!)

3 moms found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I think there is always an adjustment period after the honeymoon period. Every year, even up through college, I experienced that let down. There's the great fun of shopping for new clothes and school supplies. Looking forward to new friends and wondering what your classes and teachers will be like. Then after you've worn all your new clothes twice and you have homework and your teacher is not that nice and you don't have lunch with your best friend, it sets in that this is the everyday grind and I have a lot more of it to go before it's summer again. It's almost like the January Blues I get after the excitiement of Christmas is over and you settle into the reality that you are broke and have nothing to show for it! It's a perpetual cycle. What gets me and my daughter through it is to look forward to the next thing. Now that 1st day of school fun is over, we are looking forward to October. Fall Carnivals. Camping trips. Haloween costumes. Pumpkins YAYYYYY!!! Then we start talking about Christmas - Thanksgiving is a minor pitstop on the way to Christmas in our house. So, next time he comes home sad, go get some hot chocolate and to a punkin patch. It really helps to keep looking forward and not being sad for the past.

3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Sometimes little kids feel guilty or disloyal if they have fun away from you.
They feel bad for feeling good because they never thought they could feel happy being away from you for any period of time.
I had to tell my son it's OK. I'm happy if he's happy and I'm glad he enjoys school and I'll have a big hug for him ready for when he gets home, and then he can tell me everything he did in school.
He's in 6th grade now, and I still get a big hug when he walks in the door at the end of the day.

2 moms found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

Our little girl just started preschool, which is only 2 days a week, but she was sad she wasn't going to see me, so we gave her a picture of my husband and I and left it in her backpack. That way when if she gets sad, she can look at our picture.
Another suggestion, read the book "The Kissing Hand", I believe Margaret Wise - its a great story for the introduction to school!
Good Luck!!

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I am going through that with my daughter. I received an email on week 2 that she was very "tearful" throughout the day every day. i had no idea. It has gotten a little better, but she does come home and say "Mommy I had a great day, but I missed you....". She'll say "I didn't cry today!". I think it is more of a transition that any mother expects it to be. I'm not sure about your school, but our kindergarteners go full day, 7.5 hr days!!!! It's hard to get use to, but it's still early. Maybe by thanksgiving, he'll be comfortable, and maybe miss you less.

I make my daughter "special" lunches. I cut her sandwiches with cookie cutters, hearts, stars, flowers, pumpkins, Etc. and put 1 hershey kiss in her box. She knows thats me thinking of her, and she probably gets a kick out of it.

One other thing you could consider...If you have a class list with numbers or email addresses, contact a parent and invite another child over on a Saturday so that he can get to know someone more in depth than sitting at tables at school. He might do a lot better if he has a buddy.

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C.C.

answers from Springfield on

My daughter didn't like going the full day. It was exhausting. Plus, the hurry up and wait routine got old. She missed having more time to play and me.

We had to make sure she ate breakfast and got enough sleep. Plus, we started sending a larger snack and a lunch we knew she would eat.

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B.F.

answers from Chicago on

My son was really excited too about Kindergarten but had a bit of a low after a few weeks in. He told me that it was too much work and that it was too long. I think it is not all that easy for a kid to adjust to a new routine and a longer schedule. It will take some time. We are now about 6 weeks in and he is doing much better. I think he has gotten used to the new routine and he hasn't complaint about the longer hours anymore.
Give your boy some more time to adjust. I'm sure he will be fine once he gets used to the new schedule. Just make sure you make the most of your time together.

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