New Kindergarten fears

[tennisgal]

2 weeks ago, there was an ice cream social at W's new school at 5:30pm. MH usually picks him up around 4:30, but on occasion, I do pickup and don't get there til 5:15. In any case, we just went to the school at 5:30 and hadn't picked W up from after care. He was super worried that we had forgotten him there. *sad face*  So, for the last 2 weeks, he has been worried everyday after school that MH isn't going to pick him up.   We've tried to tell him that there isn't anything to worry about... and that in 5yrs at daycare, we never left him there, but he is still so worried about it.  He told me today that he doesn't want to go to school because he's afraid of being left there after school.

What can we do to help him not be so anxious about this?

[ktstorm]

Aww poor guy When B was in daycare he used to be distraught if he was one of the last ones picked up because one of the assistants used to tease him that she'd take him home if we didn't come. Maybe one of the teachers or kids said something to him that really got under his skin? After that I tried to let B know in the morning that I might be later, and I also promised him I would call and have a teacher tell him if an early pickup was going to change to later.

[sandj82110]

Do you know each day who will be picking up before he goes to school or is it something that gets determined later depending on how busy you both are at work that day?

If you know then maybe tell him each day who will be there and if possible give him a time (inflated a little to account for being late occasionally).

[puppylove64]

Aww :-( L knows that I usually come very soon after the go outside for recess. If they ever alter the time or I come late, he asks why I was so late to get him and seems sad. IfI'm going to be late that afternoon, I try to let him know at drop off so he doesn't pannic. Maybe trying to be consistent and letting him know will help.

[Deleted]

Ahh poor guy. A developed a few really random fears with kindergarten, her main one is getting lost in the school. It's getting better now that she is on week 7 or 8 but she was so anxious about it for probably a month and I just keep reinforcing every morning to ask a teacher for help if she gets lost. I would just keep telling him you won't forget him every morning, or maybe even say you will make sure to remind your husband every day so he will never forget?

[redmonkeystomper]

I would probably talk through the "worst case scenario". Explain to him that if for some reason you were not there and aftercare was over that they have a plan and would call you to come get him. Let him know that the worst that will happen is he will be picked up late. Talk through the fact that he would never be left alone at school or made to stay there alone.

[tennisgal]

Thanks gals! We've been talking through it each morning and he seems a little better