6yr old DS not enjoying yr 2 :(

[TheInvisiblePoster]

Ds has enjoyed school since day 1 but since starting back after the summer we've had tears and tantrums every morning.

His attitude has changed, he was placid and laid back now he's either crying like a baby or giving attitude and shouting in anger.

He complains of feeling ill every day, he says his legs and his head hurts but after school and at the weekend he is fine.

I've asked him if anything in school has upset him if anyone has been picking on him and he says no. I even had a quick word with his teacher to see how he's been in school and she said he's also cried in school. He has never cried in school before this.

I feel so sorry for him and I'm worried about him. I honestly don't know whether school is the problem or he's just going through normal 6yr old changes.

I've sat with him this morning and we had a cuddle and I told him that I love him very much and if anything at all is worrying him he can tell me or his dad or even his teacher if he would rather tell her.

I'm Just so lost and don't know what to do to make him happy again:(

Poor you. Mine is going through this too. I wonder if expectations have gone up another notch; I know our teacher is being extra strict. I think you need to talk to the teacher again - maybe with him there too? it does sound like something at school is stressing him maybe?

You need the teacher to help you work out what's going on. Is he being asked to do something that he can't do, or is he afraid that he will be asked?

Thanks trifling.
Ds was there when I spoke to the teacher yesterday and she was lovely with him.

Our teacher is extra strict too and DS has said she shouts sometimes (not at him at other children) she told me his behaviour is good and he joins in well with everything they do in class and he loves to learn.

They do have higher expectations of them in yr2 but harsh as it sounds he has got to get used to it, he has many more yrs of school to go through and expectations will only get higher:(

I'm just hoping it's a passing phase.

Oh bless him. I distinctly remember my DD having this in year two aswell! It is the act that the work has moved up a bit...he might be finding it harder...my DD was hating the fact that their were maths questions on the board every morning and it was stressing her.

I would arrange a meeting, talk about his progress and see if he has any areas he is struggling in.

My DD needed extra help with maths which she got and like magic the stress went away.

Oh dear.

If there is nothing specific wrong, then your important role is to be a calm rock for him. Stay matter of fact whilst reassuring, and don't over-question him about what's going on. But listen carefully if he does start to talk more about how he's finding it.

Stay in touch with the teacher, asking specifically for examples of when he is not coping, how they deal with it and how he responds. This might give clues as to what is bothering him, especially if it carries on beyond the first bit o term.

Thanks so much for the replies:)

DD started in reception full time this week and I thought it would be her that I was worrying about but I'm sat here worried about DS:(

Why don't you pop in today at pick up and as to arrange a meeting when the teacher has the time?

You can talk about it all and find out if there's an area of the work that he might be struggling with.

It is SO normal...I see lots of DC having a hard time as they get into year 2 and 3.

Might be over simplistic but I would look at sleep. Did bedtimes get later in the holidays and stay there? I also discovered DS wasn't drinking at school because he doesn't like water. I now get so much in him in the mornings he goes off sloshing like a drain.

Thanks iseenodust

Ds went to bed slightly later during the holidays no later that 9.00.

On a school night bedtime is 7.30 -8.00

He has a water bottle at school and he always drinks it all.

My DD has just started yr 2.

It has definitely ramped up a lot in terms of work plus expections to be independent.

I commented to her that her reading book hadn't been changed..cue floods of tears and her saying I forgot to put it in the red box. In yr 1 the TA swapped the books. Lots of similar 'rules' to learn.

She is definitely more tired - sleeping 12 hours ish again.