How to cope with end of term tiredness in reception?

[Cathylovesheathcliff]

My son is 5 and started in reception in September. Obviously we’re close to Christmas now and end of term. He is sooo grumpy and moody. Constantly cross with me and his dad, everything we do or say is wrong.
I dropped him off this morning and he was so moody, he’s like a mini teenager.

When I spoke to my mum this morning she said I should have kept him off school, because he’s obviously tired. Now I feel bad for sending him in. So far, since September, he’s had 100% attendance, despite a couple of days of snotty nose/cough. He’s never been particularly ill with it though (no fever, no lethargy).

Is anyone having the same issue with their reception aged child?

My sons the same but you'd probably find his behaviour at school is just fine.
It'll be the classic 'take it out on mum and dad' with his tiredness because he feels secure at home to let it all out. I think you did the right thing taking him in as reception this time of year is really special and fun. Maybe you could make this weekend really chilled for him.

Keep him going in, but lots of chill time at home. Tv time, bubble baths, lots of stories and snuggles and early nights. Lazy weekends.

We are nearly there.

Yes my DD used to be the same, but at the same time the last couple of weeks are fun with lots of nice activities - if you keep him home he will miss some of the fun
just balance it, you know he’s getting tired at school so give him extra time to just chill at home - give him time to do nothing and relax

Your mum is wrong - keep him off if he's sick, but not if he's a bit moody and you think he might be tired. If you do that then school becomes optional, which only causes problems.

Totally normal. Take as much pressure off at home as possible, take a snack for after school the moment you pick up - ds1 used to walk out practically open mouthed in to a small roll or banana or something else carby! And I used to avoid any questions or chat at all, pretty much, until we got home.

I agree with a lot of chill out time at home, and also early nights. I also think the extra Christmas festivities can be really overwhelming at this time of year, so try not to make the weekends too busy.

We don't break up until the 22nd and even the children in older year groups (and staff) are struggling with tiredness, so your DS isn't the only one.

This is probably the longest term of the school year (always feels like it!) and the kids are always shattered by the time they break up. DS is now in Y13, so very close to the end of his school career, but he always struggles through this term. Although, having said that, he's coped remarkably well this year, but it's taken to the age of 17 to get there!

Also just be aware there can be an increase of testosterone around that age so it can impact their form.

Definitely focus on chill as much as possible while making sure he is getting enough fresh air and exercise. I find mine could get mentally tired but benefited from outdoor play time in the evening.

The problem is weekends have been really full on with activities too.
This weekend he has a friend’s birthday party and then we have a local Christmas party on Sunday (already booked and paid for!)
The following weekend they’ll have broken up for school and we’re travelling to family for Christmas.

My son's the same, and thankfully we have a really quiet weekend coming up (entirely by accident) and we're keeping it that way as he really needs to chill. We'll decorate the tree and do some playgrounds/parks, but otherwise no socialising, no trips to busy shops (if we need to one of us will go alone) and early nights.

I wouldn't keep him off school though, he's loving all the Christmassy stuff they're doing. Mine is full of cold which isn't helping, but not actually ill.

My year 1 and 4 kids are like this and we go through to the 22nd. No idea how we’re going to make it! Just to set expectations that this isn’t just a one time at the end of the first term thing this happens to us every term… we limp through the last week or so. Agree with others though keep sending him in and try to be extra patient at home. Else you’ll end up keeping him off the end of every term and sets a bad precedence.

This weekend he has a friend’s birthday party and then we have a local Christmas party on Sunday (already booked and paid for!)

I know it's difficult when you've already paid for things but it might be a good idea to give the Christmas party a miss.

Probably worth bearing this in mind for next year, not to plan and pre pay for too much stuff all weekends in the lead up.

Same at all ages. They usually get a bug too.