To actually be considering changing schools because of DS behaviour at a stay and play?

[changingtheplace]

So embarrassing.

We went to a stay and play yesterday afternoon for DS prospective primary. He was difficult all through it. Kept whining and demanding things like snacks, drinks and toys and then when given them just kept whining he didn’t want them. He wouldn’t sit still when the teacher was trying to read them a story and kept kicking the kid in front of him. Ended up getting really annoyed with him.

I feel like we’ve made a terrible impression

I hope to god they’ve seen it all before.

Yeah they'll have seen it all before

Is he usually like that?

Is it private? Otherwise it will have no sway and all will be forgotten by autumn.

I wouldn’t say usually but it isn’t unheard of either?

They'll only remember it if he's still the same when he starts and it triggers a memory.

You have plenty of time between now and September to stop the snacks on demand, deal with the whining and teach him to sit nicely. He'll get another chance to make a first impression, so it's actually great you've seen the issues now and he can hit the ground running when he starts school.

It's overwhelming for little people. School will have seen it before!

Would it help if I told you DS was the same at his pre-reception and went totally postal on his prep school taster day in Y6. It was the school he was so happy to be going to, and his birthday, and he just lost his shit.

He probably felt overwhelmed and quite anxious about the whole thing.
The idea of the stay and play is so he sees the setting and it becomes more familiar. They won't be judging him.

I imagine you were focused entirely on your child and his behaviour. Maybe a bit anxious and on edge? How many other children were there? No one else was monitoring his behaviour the whole time. Little kids are restless and whiny in new environments and might not be used to sitting still. They've seen it all before and unlikely he will be the worst. Does he go to Reading sessions at the library, team sport activities, nursery groups? All good for prepping for this type of thing?

He doesn’t generally have snacks but a couple of other kids did and that set him off. And when he’s like that it’s so hard to get through to him as he just whines no, no, no over and over.

so it’s literally like
‘DS, you can have something … (noooo) when we (nooooo) are (noooo)’ then you realise he isn’t actually listening to the words!

He was overwhelmed.

They really have seen it all before.

Having seen one of mine (who was invariably tired and grumpy after nursery), the Reception teacher made a point of telling me what a pleasant surprise (relief maybe) it was when he arrived in her class 😆

They really have seen it all before. It was probably overwhelming for him. Does he go to nursery/pre-school? Assuming he does and his behaviour is ok there, he'll be fine.

My son broke down in sobs and had to be carried home after his first stay and play, because he wanted to stay longer and play with the new toys 🤦

They'll have seen it all before. They may have put his name down on a list of children who they are concerned will need extra support. They'll be relieved if it turns out he doesn't need it!