DS1 starts nursery school tomorrow......help!!

[Meanoldmummy]

DS1 (3.3) starts five mornings a week tomorrow and I am in such a state about it I'm almost considering backing out and not taking him. I can't do that though because he is really excited and looking forward to it. He's a very bright, verbal little boy (his language is more like 5/6yo) and very confident, but he's never been away from me (apart from when I was having his brother) and no-one has ever really been nasty to him!! I'm worried the other kids will stamp on him and the teachers will think he's a smart-alec and not help him (it's what happened to me). Plus I am very possessive and I hate the thought of some other woman making decisions about him and looking after him!!! And I'm sure I'll forget something and just do the whole thing wrong because I'm clumsy and not experienced at this sort of thing.

Worth another try.......

Aww, don't worry, I was exactly like you. It really is a wrench leaving them for the first time but see how it goes. He will probably settle in, be really happy and you'll wonder why you were so worried.

Most nurseries won't let the kids be horrible to each other. I'm assuming it's a nursery attached to a school in which case the teachers will, I think, have teaching qualifications.

Our ds, like everyone else's, is the centre of our world and at nursery he's just one out of thirty. This used to trouble me, but now I see it's good for them to learn to co-operate and to some extent fend for themselves, in a safe and happy environment. And it's also good for them, in a limited way, to learn that not everyone will dote on them.

Good luck, is there a settling in period?

Thanks Saadia No settling in period as such - they've said mums can stay for the first session is they want to. I'm not sure about this, as I sat DS1 down weeks ago and explained that he would be staying with the teacher/other children and I would be leaving with his baby brother, as he is a big boy now, and he seemed totally accepting and excited. I'm not sure if I set the precedent it might cause unnecessary problems when I do try to leave. I'm not sure about anything really...just don't want him to go!!!

my ds is due to start nursery in august and although it is months away i am terrified about how he will get on, how i will feel etc. i think it is natural to feel this way. I am sure your ds will be fine and when you see that he is thriving you will be fine too - you will have to tell me this in august!

I think that's a good idea, meanoldmummy. If you say "bye-bye, I'm going shopping and I'll see you soon" and then leave, and then perhaps lurk for a bit outside and tell the staff to call you if he gets very upset, then he'll hopefully be OK.

That's what I did with my ds. He was fine once there but for a few days in the evening, once he realised nursery was everyday, he would say he that he didn't want to go and wanted to stay with me. I kept saying "let's see how you feel in the morning", and then in the morning he'd be fine. So, as long as he doesn't sense your anxiety he will I'm sure settle in very well.

Thanks so much Saadia...that is what I was planning to do!! I've told him that I'll be going to Somerfield to buy the sausages for dinner - he can visualise the trip then, and he'll feel he knows where I am...and he likes sausages so he won't want to jeopardise them!! I hadn't thought of hanging around outside so the staff could call me though, it's a brilliant idea, I will definitely do it. I think you're right about him not sensing my anxiety. Easier said than done though, as my anxiety could melt through steel at the moment!!!

My DS1 (3.1) starts tomorrow as well. He'll be doing Five mornings too and I feel exactly the same.

Agree with saadia, I'd lurk outside

Good Luck

Good luck whimsy I've got sweaty palms just thinking about it!!

How did it go meanoldmummy?

and whimsy?

meanoldmummy just seen your other thread.