Preschool - Grover,MO

The easiest way for him to adjust is for you to take him in, give him a hug, tell him you'll be back to get him later, and leave. The only time kids take forever to adjust to change is when the parents prolong it by hanging around and trying to make things better for their crying child. All that teaches them is that crying makes mommy do what you want. Nearly every child in child care stops crying before mommy and/or daddy get to the car. In all my years of child care I only had 1 child cry after the first few days and she cried every day for 2 weeks for some time into the morning. She finally watched her mommy leave one day, kind of stomped her little foot and then went to play.

It is always the hardest on the mommy's. Just stick to it and he'll adjust and start to go in without any issues.

You will be surprised! It will be difficult for both of you at first. But, he will love it. Don't sneak out. Walk him in, give him a hug, and tell him, "mommy always comes back". That worked for my kids. And, if they have a carpool type drop off, even better. At our preschool, they would take him out of the car. It made for an easier transition. Good luck!

Reading some of the responses, all I can say is seriously, whatever people. Yes you can teach him as his mom. But he needs social interaction with peers. It's 9 hours a week, people! You will hardly be sending him "away" or neglecting him....I think it would be great for your little guy to get some experience like that. At "preschool", they play. They sing songs. They meet peers and make friends. They come across pleasantries and happy things to enjoy, and they come across some unpleasant situations and learn HOW to navigate them. (That we need to share, and how to share, and how to work things out with the children on the playground, that we need to take turns, how to take turns, and that you do indeed get a turn, lol.....if a kid answers you in a way that is not nice, what that feels like with the safety of an adult that can guide them, etc, etc). Yes it's mostly the parents' jobs to do this, but sometimes they really need to experience it with peers, not just adults. Your son is showing interest in the "idea" of school and classes, but is unsure of himself and scared of the unknown. That is normal. I personally believe that hugging him tight and saying "it's ok, you don't have to enter the big bad world, you can stay with mommy" is not helpful. Instead, I hug him tight and say "You are growing up so big. You are a smart, funny, friendly guy and your new friends are going to be so lucky to get to meet you and play! I am going to pick you up at __ everytime. You are going to go play, learn new songs that you can teach me, play on the playground, have snack, etc. And I promise that I will always pick you up! I do not lie, do I? You are getting big, and you're going to have a lot of fun". Just talk him up, talk the school up, get his confidence (in you, your word, and in himself) up.
Ask your preschool what is allowed.....can you bring a backpack? I got my son a cool new Spiderman backpack, and a matching lunchbox and thermos for snacktime that flat rocked his world. He got it as a surprise present the morning we started "school" (he was 2 years, 11 months old). He thought he was something else with that! We got him dressed in his favorite outfit, I asked how he wanted his hair for his first day (he sometimes wants to look "like daddy", sometimes spikey hair, sometimes a fauxhawk, etc). Then we took a couple pictures of him all looking good on his first day, with his backpack and lunchbox. He had so much fun!
Another thing: do you go to church? You could start out with taking him to the children's room. You come back in an hour. So he kinda gets the idea that you can leave for a short time and come back, and all is well. Oh---and go to the library with him ahead of time. There are a million children's books (for kids, not the "boring" ones for parents) on going to school (favorite characters like Martha Speaks, or whoever).

Socialization is vital and 3 yrs is not too young to start in my opinion providing you take part also, look into the co-op nursery schools in your neighborhood...since you're a SAHM, you could probably work 1-2 "work days" days into your schedule, they are loads cheaper, provide you and your family with a wealth of support, knowledge and friendships. You get to know more about yourself and child when taking a hands on approach to his learning experiences outside the home, which makes the transition easier and besides the two of you will have loads of fun going to school together :)

No two co-ops are the same just as no two preschools are easier so dont settle find one that fits your family, most co-ops are happy to have you and your son come 'test drive' so to speak, and your son can be a very helpful tool in your decision making process, the one he doesn't wanna leave or asks/talks about after leaving may be your best bet :)

Best if luck to you guys enjoy!!
Peace out :)
~a

My 5 year old has been in daycare since he was 15 months old, and although he now gives me the "wave behind his back, can't get to his friends fast enough good bye at the door," there are still days when he wakes up and tells me his is 'too sick to go to school and needs to stay home with me'.

The first day I only left him for a few hours and made it gradually longer each time, but that was for me, not him, because each time i picked him up he was not worried about me at all.

Maybe though you can visit the school ahead of time together if they are teaching summer classes, just for a tour, and you can talk up all the things the kids are doing Keep talking those things up every once in awhile. You might even convince yourself ... because it might be he is picking up that you might be a little sad at him stepping out on his own.

My son had a hard time the first couple of days. He just needed a little time to get used to it. You could try reading the book "Llama Llama Misses Mama." Excellent for helping him to be ok with the sad feeling but also excited to have fun at school.

Hi beautiful mama,
I have the same issue, with my 3half yr old son, I've actually book him in child care for 2 half days. It's still hard for both of us, he crys every time I drop him off, like one of the other moms say, don't sneak out, reasure him I'll be coming back to pick him up, and that this is a fun place to learn and to have fun!! Everytime I leave him I feels bad, because everytime he crys my heart melt, since his normally with me every second ofthe day :(.. Once I didnt take him one day coz he was upset but that jst makes themthink if they don't want to go, it's ok. But it's not, I had to think of what this was to happen when he starts school??.. You have to be strong, think of it as it's doing good for your son.. I'm doing this so he gets use to it before he starts school.. GOOD LUCK!! I'm sure it will work out soon :)

Talking about preschool and how much fun it will be. Showing him the school. You've done both of those. I know of nothing else you can do ahead of time to prepare him.

Mama M., Jennifer G. and Gamma G. have told you how to handle actually taking him and that will help him adjust to being there.

Can I ask why you want to put him in preschool? Three is so young. He still needs his mommy. There is nothing they can offer him that you can't do better. Or that is actually needed. Are you sending him because that's what "everyone" does? I implore you to rethink it. Blessings!

Why put him in preschool? I would try and start with baby steps. I have been in the presence of a woman who had a 2 1/2 yr old and she was PISSED when mom left her, even 10 ft. Little by little the toddler opened up and would explore but it took 2 full mommy and me classes over 2 weeks (we just happened to have 2 classes together). It takes adjustment. Start with mommy and me classes. At 3, many toddlers aren't emotionally ready for preschool. 3 hours every day? That's a big transition from nothing to 3 hours a day. If it's not for a few months then start mommy and me classes, but if he can't get through those then preschool is going to be tough on him. The little girl I talked about above, her mom was similar. She was a SAHM and her girl was very attached to her. One of the ladies' friends babysat and said the little girl was not one of those kids who stops crying 5 mins after mom leaves, she seriously would cry almost the whole time. Her mom just had to do baby steps. Does he play by himself at home? Good luck :)