I picked my son up crying! First day.

[Anonymous]

I picked my son up from his first day of school crying. The teacher said it was normal. ie. Other children start to cry at pick up as they are anxious/excited to see their moms.
Is that true?

[Anonymous]

Yes - saw my son's class come out & almost half were crying. They're only 2 though. At my 4 year old's class pick up, a couple were crying (and they weren't even new). It's raw emotion at that age ... & they're so tired!

[Anonymous]

same thing. my daughter is 3 and was fine the whole morning (a little anxious and tentative but ok) until she saw me and then she completely fell apart.

[Anonymous]

totally normal.

[Anonymous]

Completely agree that this is normal. The more you normalize it for your son as part of a transition, the sooner he will start to adjust and not be upset. The key is to not be upset yourself (at least in front of him).

[Anonymous]

Totally normal. If you can "sneak up" so they don't see you, you may see that they are playing happily right up until the moment they see you. It's exhaustion, pentup emotion, and relief in seeing Mommy. Doesn't mean they had a bad day or that they don't like preschool.

[Anonymous]

Happens a lot. My child does it sometime this year and my child did it last year too/ Loves preschool-just very emotional.

[Anonymous]

I remember my son's first day of preschool last year... we did not even make it to pick-up time, because he could not stop screaming, so they called me to take him home early... And now he loves his school!

[Anonymous]

normal or common? There is a difference. Sounds like your kid doesn't want to be there (yet)

[Anonymous]

It's very normal AND common. No worries.

[Anonymous]

Preschool teacher here...its normal and common and all the previous posts are correct. Staying calm yourself and talking about his or her teachers will make them feel more comfortable during this strange transition into their new surroundings.

[Anonymous]

Picked up my daughter today crying as well. She seemed okay, but started sobbing as soon as she saw me. It's very sad, but I'm hoping that she will adjust. I'm guessing that it takes some kids longer to realize that they're in a safe place and that their mom/dad will return for them.