Preschool troubles?

Question

My son who is almost 3 is enrolled in a pre-school. However it breaks my heart every time I drop him off cause he screams and cries. The teachers assure me that it stops 2 minutes after I leave. I feel so bad. When I go to pick him up he tells me all the fun he has had but I hate leaving him crying like that. What should I do? Should I pull him out of it? Or do you have any suggestions for making this easier on him? He really needs to get used to being away from me so he is ready for school in a couple years so I thought this would be good for him. How long should I wait it out before I decide he just isn't ready?

Answer 1

Go sit in the car and wait 5 minutes, then go back in and sneak a peek. You'll see it for yourself and know that your little man has you pegged good!!!!

I felt the same way with my first girl. She'd cry and scream and beg me to stay when I'd leave her with even my mom (voted best granny of the year btw lol) then 1 minute after I left, she'd be fine. How do I know? I forgot my checkbook once and came back for it .... I'd left her throwing a tantrum, came back and she was giggling and laughing with Elmo on tv.

My second girl? She's just barely 3, but cannot bear to be away from me yet. Church nursery always calls me back to get her, she cries literally the entire time I'm gone. So she's not ready yet; but that's okay, 3 is usually the age they figure out that it's okay for Mommy to go, she'll be back.

Answer 2

The teacher is probably telling you the truth. I babysit a three year old and an 18 month old. They do the exact same thing. As long as their mom is here they scream and cry. The minute she leaves and I lock the door, both of them stop crying. If he's not crying in the evenings and at night and saying that he doesn't want to go back, then I'm sure he is happy at school. Sometimes I think it can just be scary for a child when a parent leaves.

Answer 3

Perhaps when you drop your son off, the daycare people could try and distract him with something long enough for you to leave. Does he behave the same way when you drop him off at granny's or someone else's home? Separation anxiety is normal for small children and they survive it. Don't feel guilty for dropping him off, you're right to do this. It will better prepare him for school and the interaction with children his own age is always a plus. Just reassure him, as I'm sure you already do, that mommy will be back later to pick him up, and in the meantime, how much fun is he gonna have playing with all of those kids?

Answer 4

I think most kids go through this, My eldest son was awful when he first started pre-school, I got to the point where I used to watch through the window to make sure he was okay, and sure enough once he thought I was gone he'd stop crying and start playing (gotta love kids).

I think you just have to persevere with it, and be strong ... at the end of the day it's for his own good and development, and as hard as it is on you, I think you'll just need to be strong for a lil while longer.

Answer 5

He's just having separation issues from you right now. This is harder on you then it is him. Leave him there. It not only broadens his mind but it will help to socialize him. I think we parents and that includes me coddle our kids to much. And then by the time we send them off in the world we wonder why their not more independent. We did it ourselves. Think about it. I know you love your child if you didn't you would not be asking your question here. You love him and he will see after awhile your always there to pick him up when he's done. Good Luck

Answer 6

Someone already mentioned, most kids act that way. It's normal. Pretty much the same way a child reacts when he can't have something he wants or has to do something he doesn't want to do. If he's enjoying the interaction, settles down when you've gone, I would put away the mother's guilt. He's fine.