My youngest ds started first grade this year. He was in just 1/2 day kindergarten last year. He has been doing really well until the last couple of weeks. He got student of the month for Sept., loves his teacher, has no problem doing the work, etc. But, a few weeks ago his teacher asked me if anything was going on at home because he had been crying at school. This caught me totally off guard because I hadn't noticed anything, and nothing has been going on. I talked to ds and he said he had been really tired at school. He is playing baseball and they have added all these practices, so I figured that was it. So, dh and I decided to cut out the practices and make sure he got to bed earlier. He seemed to do okay last week. However, again tonight he got upset about school. He started crying saying that he misses me all day. I think now that the excitment of school starting has worn off, he is having some anxiety about being gone all day. He has always been more needy then my oldest, and more of my baby. It just breaks my heart that he is crying a lot. He is fine about going to school, it just seems to be at night. I have asked him if anything is going on, he says no....loves his teacher, is making friends, etc. So, why the crying...Could it be a form of seperation anxiety??

By Kaye on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 05:31 am:

Yep. I suggest you get and read "the kissing hand" to see if something so simple can reassure him. I have also seen kids that take a pic of mom and dad and put it in their backpack.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 07:50 am:

I LOVE the Kissing Hand! Great recommendation. We always made a hand with a heart sticker in it to carry with them to remind them of mom/dad.

It has been my experience that first grade is a HARD transition for most kids. Sometimes it's not the first day or first week, but a little more into it. First grade is VERY overwhelming on a few levels...a)not as much movement and more sit-down work (I won't even go there), b) just simply a longer day, c) missing Mom! He's seeing you much less now that he ever did before and that's an adjustment.

Hang in there and lots of HUGS. I'm sure he'll be just fine!! It's just an adjustment.

By Debbie on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 08:17 am:

Deanna, actually he is lucky that his teacher does have a lot of activities where they move around. I just think it is the long day.

Kaye, great idea about the picture. I don't know why I didn't think of it. We did it last year, when dh was working in St. Louis.

I was talking to dh about him last night, when he got home with my oldest ds. My oldest looked at me, and in a real matter of fact tone, told me he also cried in his bed at night in 1st grade He said he missed me a lot. I couldn't believe it, he never said anything. He said he didn't want to make me feel bad.