*sigh*
It's not been so great.
She has cried EVERY SINGLE DAY at drop off and then again when I pick her up.
At pick up day 1 she was crying because she wanted her jacket that she thought was in the room.
It was at home. I assured her it was. She still cried a lot and was then mad that it wasn't in her backpack to keep at school.
Day 2 pick up, they had a fire drill just as I got there. She was happy as she walked past me. She was happy when she passed by me to go back inside. She was crying when she came out to me. There was a folder mix up with a little girl named Madison. She accidentally grabbed Madelyn's folder but it was fixed right away. Maddie still cried.
Day 3... She was crying because she didn't get a snack. Know why she didn't get a snack?!
Because she stood up and just stood there instead of sitting down to eat it!! SHE JUST STOOD THERE!!
She told me she didn't dance during the songs because she just stood there. She told me that she didn't get to play because she just stood there.
It's not like she's trying to hide it from me, she told me herself that she just stands there.
Her teacher assured me that it was fine like they'd done daily and even said, "it's ONLY day 3. It'll be okay". I already love her teachers because they DO understand. They've had students act like this.
The first day they tried to talk to her and calm her down. They QUICKLY learned to just leave her to herself and she'd get over it; that talking to her just made matters worse.
This morning on our way out the door she complained that her bottom hurt.
She's had this issue before- she tried to hard to use the bathroom therefore causing herself pain.
She completely freaked out.
I lost my cool and yelled, a lot more than I'd like to admit.
Something about Maddie's screaming just causes me to lose it so SO fast.
I think she freaked so much as a way to get out of going to school today. I mean I don't doubt that it hurt a bit but this freak out was bigger than the last time she had this issue.
I calmed her down, hugged her, we got back in the car and tried to leave again. No more tears were shed until we got to school. We walked around back to where I drop her off and her teacher actually had to pick her up and carry her in.
I just don't get it. It's only 2 hours a day. She's gone to preschool before and it wasn't THIS bad. She was shy there but eventually came around & played & had a decent time.
She is so excited in the morning to get up and ready!
On the first day, she dropped her blankie (big deal!!) 1/2 way down the stairs because she was THAT excited to get dressed & ready!
I went out and bought her a little bracelet and told her that it'd make her brave. She told me it was fake because she still cried.
Yesterday we ran to the PX (it's like the walmart on post) for diapers and while there she saw a little Hello Kitty doll she wanted. I bought it (it was less than $2 so SCORE!) but told her she couldn't have it until she was good at PreK! She whined a
So she woke up this morning before the bum mess and swore she was going to be good and brave and not cry (Like she'd one EVERY morning now) and said she was excited to get her Hello Kitty doll.
Then the bum thing happened....
Then her teacher had to carry her in....
I just don't know what to do.
Fin walks in with her. She met the teachers before school started. They came to the house to meet her.
She tells me all about what they do everyday in an excited tone once she gets over the crying.
She does homework at the table with Fin everyday so it's not like she doesn't like to learn.
I just don't get it. I don't know what to do. I mean I get that it's only the first week but going through this twice a day with her is just exhausting.
I know she'll eventually get over it but today...today I am stressed. Today I am exhausted. Today I'm embarrassed that it's my child every single day throwing fits like this. I'm confused because she says she liked it. She likes her teachers, the school, her friends. Today I'm just drained.
Here's to hoping tomorrow is better.
I pick her up in a bit, wish me luck!
Also, while you're here: I was nominated for Circle of Moms Top 24 Southern Moms of 2013.
Please take a second and go vote for me! You literally just have to click "vote"!
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9 comments:
Oh, Mama...that sucks. I've got zero advice, but lots of sympathy. I'm guessing next week will be much better for her. Adjustments/changes can be difficult on little kids. As Jenn (from Life with the Lieutenant) told me last week, "peace and wine be with you" ;)
She sounds so much like Lily! She's just super emotional & doesn't know what to do with it all. We used to joke & call her "bi-polar baby" because she would be laughing & happy one moment & then crying like it's the end of the world the next minute.
It's new, and it's going to take some time to adjust. She is probably really trying her best, but maybe she misses you during the day or she gets scared while she's there & it turns into bad/crazy behavior? Just try to be patient with her and make her feel really secure and spend time with her when you can. Maybe it's a little bit of "middle child syndrome" too, and the reality has hit her that she's not the baby anymore, plus she's the only girl. This is all easier said than done, I know, because something about when Lily throws a fit or tries to defy me just makes my blood boil- and I don't get that way with Ayden! It's a girl thing. And you're a girl too, so you guys automatically butt heads. Trust me, you're not the only one feeling this way or dealing with this. I'll probably be right there with you when Lil starts soon!
Jayla was like that last year in her 4 year old class and I didn't get it because she never acted like that once in the 3 year old class. It is exhausting and frustrating. Stick to your guns and things will get easier. Little girls are drama queens and over exaggerate everything. Jayla throws fits just like that. It will get easier, and she will get over it. I learned that Jayla needed to feel like she was in control over the situation for it to go smooth. That meant more independence for her. Picking out her outfit, fixing her own cereal, getting her own bag packed, walking into school on her own and being picked up in the car line. You'll figure out she needs and she will fall into a new routine and all this will feel like a thing of the past.
I don't have any advice but in time it should get better. My little guy takes a long time to adjust to things. He never cried but he wouldn't participate in a lot of the activities. Within a few weeks he was singing at the top of his lungs. Hope tomorrow is a better day.
I wish I knew something to say but as having no kids I know nothing here! I hope it turns around and shes a little cutie!
Aw poor kiddo! And poor mama, haha. Sounds like she's just overly stimulated and doesn't quite know how to handle it yet.
I like the bracelet idea, I saw one similar the other day that I thought was cool. You get MATCHING bracelets or one of those split-apart friendship necklaces and tell her that you'll be wearing yours and she should wear hers when you guys are apart. Tell her whenever she feels overwhelmed, she should try and calm down and look at her bracelet and remember that you're thinking of her all day long and even if she is sad or upset she can talk about it with you later. Even if she still cries, it might help. And hopefully it won't be proclaimed "fake" ;)
I'm a fan of bribery. I like the doll idea. She will eventually get over it, but you know that and it doesn't help you now :/ Next week will, hopefully, be better!
Oh girl. This is so rough- on both of you! Poor girl is having a hard time adjusting and you are dealing with it twice a day (omg I cannot imagine twice a day...). Praying that it all goes away after the weekend! Has Fin talked to her about it? Did he have issues starting school when he was her age? Maybe he could be helpful big brother and tell her how was scared to leave Mama too (if he was) and how he handled it. Or (look at me, so full of suggestions!) I have read that therapists let kids draw or paint and supposedly kids just let the words and emotions flow when they are creating art. Maybe she'd open up to you then about what's going on in her head? I really hope pickup today is easier for both of you. Wish I could send you some wine!!!
I'm not sure, I've never been a mom to a pre k gal, but this is what came to mind. Could you make a game of it? Tell her that she needs to make friends, because one day those friends in her class may need her to be special friend to them or help them during a tough time. Challenge her to come home and tell you the name of someone she talked to, and maybe 3 things about that friend. It will encourage to interact, and maybe, just maybe, make some friends so she looks forward to going. Have you tried to set up play dates with some of the peers in her class?? I'm so sorry this is hard for you, but I commend you for being honest, open, and vulnerable with us. I hope it gets better!
{Just peeked to the right and saw that you were in the southern blog society. Since I'm a new follower, I'm not sure where you are from. I'm in Alabama!!}
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