Settling into school again !

[Dillie]

My dd has just started school again! Or at least thats how it feels!

She did one day (first day) a couple of weeks ago, but she broke out in spots that turned to be chickenpox! She didnt cope with it particularly well, but I put that down to feeling like crap!

So she only did one day, and although she is better now, she had to go through "first day" all over again today.

Just to rub salt into the wound, her usual teacher is off sick, so was a locum! The poor thing has not had much luck!

She got as far as the gates grabbed my leg as tight as she could and cried her little eyes out . Fortunately the teachers at the door, allowed me in to settle her in once I explained that she has only been once and had been poorly for a week and a bit.

I know that she will be ok, just that I am sitting here worrying myself daft!!!

If I am brutally honest, I really didnt think she would react this way and it has knocked me sideways. She was fine on her visits, but it seems that now she is in her uniform, she has gone very clingy.

My question is, if it continues (I am expecting the same tommorrow) do I need to be tough and how on earth can I encourage her to go when she obviously finds it traumatic!

just jolly her along in the morning, keep goodbyey brief. lots of cuddles and sympathy after school. it will get better.

Ah, poor you and poor her. I'd be gentle, but firm, so tell her you understand it's hard, but that everybody she knows has gone to school - for some reason that blew my son's mind and really helped him - also that she'll soon get used to it and enjoy it. And talk to her teacher too to see if she's any suggestions. Maybe it'll help if you hand her over to a particular TA in the morning or even the Teacher herself. I'd bet once she's inside and you've gone she's okay though - for most kids it's the actual act of leaving the parent that's hardest. Hope she's good when you pick her up x

Poor DD, It was kind of the teacher to let you go in and settle her today, but I doubt that they will like this happening more than a couple of times. I agree with the other posters, try to be very bubbly and positive about going in the morning, think of something really special that you can do together after school and in the morning say have a good day, love you, I'm going to rush into town to get our treat ready I'm so excited I can't wait kind of thing. This has worked well with my own DD and also my minded children, it takes the focus of school and onto something fun.

Thanks for your reply's

She came home all bubbly and seemed to have a good day. Although she did say she had no one to play with at play time, but not really sure if she was telling the truth or not :/

When I said go there again tomorrow then and we can go shopping after (typical girl lol!) she said "Again mummy?"

I think she has it in her head she only goes there once a week or something!

Tomorrow should be fun, I'll use the we will do puzzles and watch a bit of dora together .. seems to do the trick lol!

Dillie, another thing we did is making going to school fun. So I tell DS some daft made up story as we walk. He looks forward to it and it helps me get him out the door. Hope it's good today too.

We had a few tears .. mostly before we went. I put a fruit shoot in her lunch box as she loves those, not sure if the school allows them but they are the low sugar type!! lol

Before we left, she really didnt want to go, so i said that there is a little surprise in her lunch box for lunch time, but not to look until then .. not sure if she will like it or not but it stopped the tears for a little bit at least.

Her main teacher was back today, which was helpful as there was a face she recognised. So I handed her over and although she was upset, I said to the teacher I am going to run :P she knew exactly what I meant so she grabbed dd by the hand and started to ask her what was in her book bag etc.

Had a quick look though the window as I left, she was crying a little, which did tug a bit, but knowing my dd 10 mins in and she will be giggling with the rest of them