Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Flip

Original poster

Dd1 really upset after school - what can I do?

12 replies

nearlythree · 22/09/2006 21:50

She has just started Reception and adores school, but she is coming home so tired/wired that she cries on the way home, has tantrums, she even hit me today which she has never done before (it was very half-hearted!) As far as I know half-days aren't an option. How can I help her so she doesn't go so mad? Alternative therapies? Massage? Food? I'd like to enjoy the little time we get as a family each evening.

OP posts:

hoxtonchick · 22/09/2006 21:51

my ds is exactly the same. we are cutting down on after school activities (though these were just seeing friends, nothing hardcore), just going home & chilling out. it's such a big change for them, starting school, it's bound to take time for them to adapt. grit your teeth & bear it i reckon!

anniediv · 22/09/2006 21:52

Is she five already or five this term? If yes, then she does haveto go full time, but if not five until next term, you can send her for half days. I have dd1 in yr1 who was the same last year, and dd2 started reception last week. I had to feed her her tea this week as she's be so tired! They do eventually get used to it.

Judy1234 · 22/09/2006 21:55

My twins who are nearly 8 I noticed when they came back last week were tired, snappy, shouting and it was just due to being back. I just found by getting earlier bed time, good food, regular routine that doesn't change it has all got back to normal. They aren't doing a single out of school or after school activity despite having a list from the school they could do. I think an early bed time helps children. One of our children's schools once used to send a note of what time it should be home.

Original poster

nearlythree · 22/09/2006 21:57

Thanks for the replies. She is five after Christmas, but I don't think the school are ahppy about thsoe who are born before April doing half days.

I am livid as one of dd's classmates is having a birthday party at one of those indoor play centre things after school on a Monday. I can't not let dd1 go but she's usually starting her bedtime routine before the time this party will have finished, and she will be suffering for it for the rest of the week!

OP posts:

anniediv · 22/09/2006 22:00

Schools don't make it easy for you, but legally she doesn't have to be in full time ed until the term she is 5. If you wanted to stick to your guns you could insist, but to be honest, she'll soon get in the swing of it.

Original poster

nearlythree · 22/09/2006 22:22

It's difficult, I don't think she'd appreciate me collecting her before her best friend anyway!

OP posts:

anniediv · 22/09/2006 22:25

I agree with you nearly3. However tired she is, I'd rather she stayed and got used to it as I think she would feel she was missing out (and I think she probably WOULD miss out). Stick to early bed and plenty of chilling out!

Original poster

nearlythree · 22/09/2006 22:27

I don't get her to do her homework!

OP posts:

curlew · 22/09/2006 23:32

My ds was like this last year - he seemed to like school too much and he got soooooo tired! I kept him home on the occasional Friday - a three day weekend with at least one very quiet day with lots of stories, a bit of beebies and a gentle walk and he was able to survive the rest of the time. And remember, school gets more exciting and tiring as it gets closer to Christmas. Make sure she's got the energy to enjoy it. Don't be bullied by the school - after all, what are they going to do - they can't kill you, as my DD says when facing any difficult situation!

TLC123 · 23/09/2006 09:32

My son started reception in Jan this year, he was still having an afternoon nap right upto then. He is an august birthday, so very young. He was shattered after school, I had to get dinner into him asap and he was normally asleep by six. He didn't really get any better until easter. I too let him have the odd Friday off.
He started year one a few weeks ago, started on Monday was shattered by Thursday, so I let him have Friday off, since then he has coped quite well. I think they are to young to be going to school for so long when they are only four and five.

Zofloyya · 23/09/2006 10:01

Do you take a snack for her to eat on the way home? If I turn up at the school gate with something like a flapjack or banana for my dd to munch, plus her bottle of water, it really helps give her enough of a boost to get home - and then she just flops in front of the TV

Original poster

nearlythree · 23/09/2006 22:21

Think I will need to talk to dh about dd1 having the odd day off. Can't be Friday as they have a special assembly!

I think I'll try the snack, although I'm not sure she'll go for it as we walk home across fields and she runs around with her best friend and sister!

OP posts:

Flip