DD has been getting gradually worse at the start of the day - happy while in school but hates going into the room. We'd talked about how she was playing up at going in time because another boy does too, so we found him and his mum and planned that they would go in together holding hands to make each other brave. They were both up for this, went off to play for a minute. When the bell rang she went and hid in the corner of a playhouse, I had to pull her out and then carry her across the playground screaming. Tried to keep on being cheerful - You'll have lots of fun, look X is waiting for you to hold his hand, you're a brave girl etc. She just wailed and everyone was staring. Teacher is still being patient with her but I'm finding it so hard now - she is absolutely fine up to the time the bell goes. People have suggested arriving just in time to drop and run, but because the bell is pretty erratic (rung by hand!) this is a bit risky. Also she says she'll be fine, then at the last minute goes to pieces.
I'm really losing patience with her and feel really bad about that. What else can be done, if she's physically pulling away from the classroom door and grabbing me with both hands? She followed me across the playground yesterday after being nearly ok at the door, had to be pulled off by the teacher again. It's not fair on the teacher or the other kids, and I know she is absolutely fine once she's in the classroom. I don't like having to use physical force to get her up to the door, but there doesn't seem to be any other option and I don't know what else to do. Bribery has stopped working :( big cuddles work up until the time the bell rings, then she really worries, then she runs away.