Fine for first week and now has meltdown

[onthebus]

DD started in Reception last week so today was her 7th day. She used to go to the school nursery so knows about 2/3 of the children in Reception. Plus the nursery/Reception did lots of joint/induction type activities in the summer term. So basically she was excited and not at all worried about going to school.

The whole of last week and yesterday she ran off into school without a backward glance and has been talking non stop about how great it all is.

However, this morning, we went into school as normal. When I said "goodbye" she wrapped her arms and legs around me and refused to let go. Both I and the class nursery nurse tried various encouraging/distracting tactics to no avail. In the end the nursery nurse literally had to prise her off me while I walked off to her screams of "Mummy Mummy".

Now I am sure this is probably totally normal and to do with reality sinking in or something but it came as a bit of a shock.

Tomorrow I am planning to send her in holding hands with one of her friends to hopefully avoid a reoccurence.

Anyone else experienced this? Or any hints?

[colapips]

It's the realisation that this is it, and it happens every day, and the novelty has well and truly worn off.

Great idea re going with friend I have to say peer pressure works at a young age. My ds was the same, and would be crying right up until the moment when he saw his friend, and then there would be stiff upper lip, and in he'd go.

[sarahfreck]

Could also be that she has seen other children crying and this has started her off, whereas previously it hadn't occurred to her?

[colapips]

One of my friend's children was much more pragmatic over the whole thing

2nd week he said
I am going to cry when we get to school, I will do this for 3 days and then no more.

And that is exactly what he did!!!

[Smithagain]

My friend is a playgroup supervisor. She expects new children to be more unsettled in the second week, when the novelty has worn off. Totally normal. Hard to cope with, but staying calm and keeping the goodbyes as short as you can manage is the way to go.

[LatteLady]

Many years ago my BiL's eldest walked out of school (in the times when schools had no gates and children did escape with annoying regularity) at the end of the first morning and was found a couple of streets away walking to her granny's house. When they asked her where she was going, "Well I have been to school and given it a chance, and frankly I would much help granny!"

The thing is within 10 mins or less, she will probably be happily working with her peers.

[follygirl]

My ds is doing the same thing. He started last Wed so only had a short week. He was absolutely fine but was surprised to realise he had to go back on Monday after the weekend.
This week he has been crying before we get to school and he's been holding back his tears when we get there. He does know lots of the boys already as we met up in the summer. It's just a long day for him and he's only 4.2.