Anonymous wrote:She switched rooms at the beginning of the year, about 6 weeks ago. She loved her old class, the teachers were wonderful. I am familiar with her new teacher who isn't as bubbly or loud, but she is very sweet, calming and a great teacher. Many of her friends moved to the new room too.
Every morning is a struggle. I have never cried at drop off before but I cried last week because I couldn't watch her kicking and screaming for me. It's worse for her dad - sometimes I can drop her off without incident. She says no one is hurting her. She says she wants to stay home. I remind her we work and it's BORING at home. School is fun, she is learning, she is needed to be the line leader/light helper etc, her friends will miss her etc. We have a morning check list which includes go to school with no crying. The principal/director hasn't written me back. Even when she acts excited and ready she changes her mind the second she walks in the class (she's ok in the hallway).
What else can I do for her? Her teacher says it's getting better, but I don't see it. Thoughts? Advice?
Why? How about you support her through these emotions instead. Tell her you know it’s been hard lately and it will pass. Tell her you will give her one big good bye hug and then the teacher and her friends can help her. Tell her you know it is ok to leave her with the teacher and that the teacher can help her. And that when she is ready, she will not feel like crying anymore. It is scary to a kid when they feel they need to hide their emotions for us, or that we can’t handle their emotions. It also puts a lot of pressure on a kid to make them have to agree not to cry.
In short, just focus on supporting her until this phase naturally passes.