My Son Will Be Starting Preschool in August!

Sometimes it is a bigger step for mom than for the children. Don't let your emotions play on his... I was also a stay at home mome with my own daycare.. I too cried the first day of preschool. Maybe have your son spend time with his friends without mom for a few minutes,10, 20 or 1 hour at a time to prepare him (or maybe mom).

I told my son he would be going to "play-school", and I drove him by the school and we looked in the windows a couple of times a week until school started. That way, when the big first day came, it wasn't a strange, scary place.

Our pre-school also hosted an Open House two weeks before it started, so our son was able to meet his teachers and all the other kids. That also made him more open to the place and the people.

Not going to lie- the first day was hard. He clung to me and screamed for about fifteen minutes. I started crying too, and the teachers finally peeled my son off of me and told me to go. Five minutes later, one of the teachers called to tell me that less than 30 seconds after I left, he was happy and playing with the other kids. So be prepared to drop and run!

Good luck!

There is nothing to be worried about! :-)

Your son will be fine. Just give him lots of encouragement and show how excited you are about his first day of school!

And of course, take pictures for those scrapbooks!

A.,

It will likely be harder on you than him! But do expect some separation anxiety from your son - having good communication with the preschool teacher(s) is a good idea, you will want to know that he is adjusting - the first couple of weeks he might get sad while adjusting. Giving him close, one-on-one attention soon after you pick him up will help.

Always let him know you will be back to get him soon when you drop him off. My daughter had anxiety because she didn't understand at first when or if I'd be back to get her, but once she became accustomed to the routine, she was fine.

We also "played school" a lot before to give her an idea of what to expect; to get her used to the idea of "doing what the teacher says", and played "dropping off at school and picking up." I am assuming you have visited the school with your son so he has a picture of where he will be going and some idea what to expect.

have fun!

Take pictures, and tell him how big he is getting. Make the 1st day a celebration. But you will cry, so try not to let him see you do it. My daughter is 6 now, and in full-day kindergarten. I remember her first day of preschool. I'm not the keepsake mom you are, but rather the one with the giant mental scrapbook who savors every memory. She was really shy and it was hard for her to leave me, but we managed. We went by the school a lot, did a class visit before she started, and developed a goodbye routine so it was easy to put in place when school started. There was no lingering, but just a kiss, a hug, and a high five. We still do it now! Also, when she needed just a bit more from me (they weren't allowed to have toys or special items in school), I wrote on her hand...just with a pen, I put a smiley face because I'm proud of her, a heart because I love her, and a star that I would kiss before leaving her and kiss as soon as I picked her up. All this was discreetly on the palm of her hand. When I picked her up the first day, she stuck her hand up to wave to me, and I got a picture of it - with all that I drew still in tact. I could almost cry now just thinking about it. But it's a happy memory. The time goes by quickly. Develop something special and you'll never regret it. My daughter had a rough week recently in kindergarten and was feeling emotional. I wrote in her hand and she told me she remembered when I used to do that almost every day. That's special to me. As far as preparation goes, let him be involved in the process. We did a school visit, like I mentioned, in the middle of a regular class so she could see what it was like. We drove by or went in the building frequently. We did the open house with the teachers and brought her along to be familiar with the classroom. She also needed a backpack, which we let her pick out. She also came along to shop for school supplies and was able to pick out some new clothes. We also did "Fun Fridays" and still do it now. To celebrate the coming of the weekend and end of a school week, we do something special on Friday - like have dinner out, or visit the library, or go to the park, or have dessert, or whatever comes to mind that seems fun at the time!

Make the most of your moments because they do pass quickly and you know you can't get them back. Don't be ashamed for being sentimental, but don't spend so much time keeping or scrapping that you get carried away and lose time you could be spending together now! Good luck!

In these situations I really think that if mommy is anxious and worrisome, then the child will mirror that attitude towards going to preschool. I would just really talk it up w/ your son and be very excited about it.
Maybe take him for a visit or two this year before the preschool is over so he can remember it and visualize it.
Make his first day at school a really special occasion by having a special meal or dessert in his honor to mark this new milestone. Just be positive!! It's hard to let go of our kids - often times harder on mom than the kid. :)

Our son will be starting preschool this fall too. To prep him, I signed him up for a "drop off" park dist. class this winter and spring. We're also really active in our mom and tots group so he's been making a lot of new friends and doing many differernt activities. Since I registered him in January, everytime we drive past his "new school" I point it out- and I make sure he sees the playgroud. I'm sure this summer I'll grab a few books about preschool/school from our library too. Not sure if all of this will be helpful, but I know that it can't hurt! Best of luck.

I'm a stay-at-home mom who was a pre-school teacher before having kids. There's a few things that you can do to help your son: 1. (First get permission from the teacher or school) Go to the school before the school year lets out and have your son meet the teacher and just sit and watch her and the students. Go to the school when the parents are dropping off the kids so he can see that the kids are okay without the parents. 2. TALK frequently about the experience. 3. Buy a couple of children's books about going to pre-school. Read them often.
If you are really positive about the experience, then he will get more excited about it. Most kids usually transition pretty easily. The 1st day might be a little tough, but it should be okay. Only about 1 or 2 out of 20 REALLY cry and are out of control.

Hi A.,
I was in very simalair position about 15yrs ago, I explained to my son about preschool and how I would leave him for a while then come back to get him. In retrospect I know it was harder for me than him to go. I think you will be surprised how well he will adjust. Just try your best not to get to emotional treat it like an everyday thing and he will see your ok so he will be ok.

Analavia, If you look at this as a positive step, he will probably look at it that way, too. Just reading your message, i feel anxious for you, and he may feel that. Talk about it, not that you are going to have to leave him, but that he is going to get to go to school and play with other kids, color, read books, have snack. Don't mention that it will "only be a little while I have to leave you". If you approach it from the postive side you probably won't have any issue. And, when that day comes, even if he cries and seems as though he is going to self destruct, you have to leave him. He will be fine. Just approach it from the easy side, change the subject, keep his best interests at heart. It's hard to be the mommy and leave them, but it's for their own good. And, remember, if you dont try to take some of the stress of that day, it only hurt him, not you, kwim? You can also try play dates with other kids and that helps a bunch. I remember those days well. It gives you needed time for you, and he will be so excited to tell you all about school! Enjoy it, it will turn him into a little man!

Hello A.,

There is an awesome book that helps with the transition and gives you and your child a daily ritual to follow and explains it. I can never read it without tearing up and my boys are now teenagers. It's called "The Kissing Hand". Check it out. Also, there are more books about going to school that may also help him know what to expect. Maybe a play date here or there with little friends could help too. Does he know any of his classmates? See if you can find out about any of them and get him connected ahead of time. Prayers are with you!
Sue

Don't be scared. These are your emotions of having to let go. He may not have the same feelings as you. Does he seem ready to socialize? If yes, then he probably isn't scared but looking forward to independence and trying new things.

Rather than focusing on mommy leaving him, focus on him getting to go to school and socializing with new friends. Good luck!

Try taking him to Sunday School. The class is usually only one hour. You can meet the teacher, talk to them, then go to a class for you. Most Churches have classes for all ages. Some keep the kids an extra hour, so you can attend Church Services. This will allow your son to get use to you leaving him for a short time. You can get to know some of the people of the Church, and form new friendships. Call Churches in your area to learn which ones have classes for your sons age, as well as for you. Have a Good Week.