Some questions for those with school age children....

My daughter is 5 and this will be her first year at school. She starts on the 22nd, and I am not ready at all!   We have all the school supplies and clothes down pat, but its my heart that hurts.

I have been dying at the thought of sending her. I know she is going to do great but I am so scared of dropping her off that 1st day. We moved to a new town this year and she knows absolutely no one, which makes it even worse. I took her for orientation last week and she wouldn't let me leave her side. Which again is making this so much harder. I am a freak about strangers and new people, and I think I am being too over protective, but its hard not to be.

So my question is, when that day comes...do I leave? I know she is going to cry whether I stay 5 minutes ornot. So what makes it worse? I know she won't cry if I stay with her, but then what happens the next day? I feel so bad for her, and being pregnant is just amplifying the issue even more.

Also, they have asked me if I would like to set her up with bus service. Right now I don't mind taking her. After my baby is born it would be nice to send her every so often so I don't have to dirsupt the baby's sleep pattern and all. Again, I am afraid to send her on the bus. Is 5 years old too early to ride the bus?

She is my 1st child, and the whole school thing just confuses me. I want her to be safe, but I dont want to ruin her chance to make friends and gain independence. Can someone help? Thanks.

I think that your fears and insecurity can absolutely transfer to her. If you put on a brave face and don't show her that you're worried, she'll have less of a reason to be. Kids intuit a lot and she'll know if you don't want to let her go. My advice is to talk to her a lot about it in advance, if the school offers an open house to go or if they don't, to call her teacher and ask if you can bring her by to check out the room and meet the teacher so she knows what to look forward to. On the day, I'd take her where she needs to go and leave- hanging around will just make her more and more clingy and she'll expect you to keep doing it.

My son is five but has zero problems being independent. He went to 4K last year and rode the short bus (haha). He did summer school on the bus with the big kids and a few of them weren't very nice. I'm going to leave it up to him to decide if he wants to bus it or if he wants me to take him.

Well I will tell you one thing - someone will be crying and it won't be her.   When my son has his kindgarten orientation, the kids were sent out of the room and the parents got a lecture from the principal and he made it clear "no crying" and he said "and I don't mean the kids either". Your daugther will be fine. You just need to hang in there. I cried because my baby was growing up. I still cry when he has a growing up moment. It is harder on you then her. And don't worry, schools are very protective over kindergardners through third graders. Mine is going to third grade this year - it doesn't get any easier. The worry is permanent. Wait til she goes to college.  

My kids went to school for the first time ever last year. We moved to TX from NY on the 1st of Aug and they started on the 27th so they were getting used to the move and school at the same time. My 5yr old went on the bus cuz it was easier for me since I had to take my daughter to preschool. I talked to him about it first so he knew what to expect but I didnt make a big deal out of it so he wouldn't get scared. He was VERY shy around kids he didn't know until after 2 weeks he just opened up completely. He is now VERY talkative around any child anywhere close to his age so I wouldn't make a big deal out of it and try not to through your fears her way. Make it sound fun and dont make a big deal out of leaving her at school. Just say bye and give her a hug and kiss and leave

My mom said it if I think I am emotional now, wait until the day that she runs away from the car because she doesnt want to be seen with me!

Quoting Kelli Jo & Bebe:“ My mom said it if I think I am emotional now, wait until the day that she runs away from the car because she doesnt want to be seen with me!”

My eight year old has rules - no hugging him, kissing him or touching him in anyway - holding his hand, putting my arm around him, etc.when he is around anyone - kids, teachers, etc. It hurts but I know he is my baby forever and if he has a scary dream, well we know where he will be sleeping.

Honey, we ALL feel that way when we send our little ones to school... I was talking in a forum about this same subject the other day and justtalkingabout the experiencemade me cry all over againand mine is going to 3rd grade this year! It was even hard for me and he had been in day care so it's not like he wasn't used to be cared for elsewhere and being around a bunch of kids. For pre-school and Kindergarten tho we drove him to school usually and the daycare would pick him up afterwards. BUT when he was going to 1st grade was when it really hurt me. We had moved so he was having to go to a new school AND he was going to be riding the bus!   I was sooo scared to put him on that bus! With all those bigger kids on there u know... and then going to this new school where he knows no one! It is heartbreaking but you just have to try and help them adjust the best you can and you have to try and let go just a little because believe me, they will be ok   They are perfectly capable little people who naturally adjust to theschool life. It's one of the best things ever even tho it hurts at first

I dreaded the day I had to drop my daughter off for her first day of Kindergarten! It's so sad. Does your school allow you to eat breakfast that morning with them? I always go eat breakfast with her on the first day. Usually they'll meet another child at the table. You usually have to iniate the conversation though. Then I walk her to her class!

Quoting ♥ Shizzle ♥:“ I dreaded the day I had to drop my daughter off for her first day of Kindergarten! It's so sad. Does ... [snip!] ... they'll meet another child at the table. You usually have to iniate the conversation though. Then I walk her to her class!”

They said if the kids are really upset the 1st day they will let the parents stay for a while. If she absolutely wont let me go I am going to tell her I can either stay for a few , or leave right away. She needs to know though either way mommy is leaving. I talked to her about it a little bit, and she said she will let me go if I stay and play for a while.
The things that has been bothering me, is when she went for orientation the teacher asked her if she had any friends. She said no. I wanted to cry   Is it normal for her to not have any friends? She went to preschool in our old town, but still, I feel terrible.

Quoting Kelli Jo & Bebe:“ They said if the kids are really upset the 1st day they will let the parents stay for a while. If ... [snip!] ... to cry   Is it normal for her to not have any friends? She went to preschool in our old town, but still, I feel terrible.”

My daughter really didn't have any friends either. We had neighborsthat she played with, but they moved off. So when she started Kgarten, she didn't have any.She's going into the second grade now, and always calls her friend Katie on the phone.It's so funny to hear my daughter say "My best friend Katie....". She'll make friends at school.

Quoting ♥ Shizzle ♥:“ My daughter really didn't have any friends either. We had neighborsthat she played with, but they moved ... [snip!] ... her friend Katie on the phone.It's so funny to hear my daughter say "My best friend Katie....". She'll make friends at school. ”

My daughter is so adorable whenshe actuallyhas someone to play with. She gives all of her toys away to the neighbors. Their mom comes over with them and says "Are you sure Kayla didn't take these from your house?"
 

I think all of your fears are completely natural. Even more so with your first. Granted there are those same fears with your second but I think it becomes easier once you figure out how the system works. 

I wanted to reply to this topic because someone we both know, just sent her kid to school. Yesterday was her first day she called me having a panic attack because it didn't work out the way it was suppose to. Normally when you take them to meet the teacher and see their classrooms you find out where you need to send them in the morning. 

She drops her daughter off at the at the door (as she was told to do because they did not want parents coming in with the kids) to sit and listen with the window rolled down as she hears "Please go sit in the cafeteria with all the other students," let me also mention that some of the other students in the cafeteria are in 5th grade! Little much for a five year old that is just starting out in Kindergarten. 

Her Mother was told the night before that they would be able to go straight to their classes. The point is, it's going to be hard regardless but I believe it's those little mishaps that build character and help our children learn to deal with the unexpected. As you and I both know life is full of those. 

While it is completely okay for you to have your fears try not to let it get the better of you. The more excited Maddy sees you about this whole process the less nervous she will be. In ending, I'd like to say that the little girl I was talking about came home and told her Mom she had a great day. I know Maddy will do the same as well.  

Quoting Kelli Jo & Bebe:“ My daughter is 5 and this will be her first year at school. She starts on the 22nd, and I am not ready ... [snip!] ... me. I want her to be safe, but I dont want to ruin her chance to make friends and gain independence. Can someone help? Thanks.”

Girl I just went thru the same thing. Not only is this my lil girls first year of school. But I lost my brother Monday morn. And my mother n law offered to take her to school for me on her first day, so I could rest for the funeral etc.
But I couldnt miss my lil girls first day. She started Aug 12th. And she looked so grown up. So cute........so mmature. She went into her class room with her backpack, and her lunch box and put in in her cubby whole. Then sat at her desk. My throat hurt trying to hold back tears. Cause Ive never been so proud.
The teacher had to comfort me , and tell me it will be ok, cause I didnt want to leave. I told her to make sure she watches my baby, and I started to cry. She patted me on the back, and said she'll be ok, I promise Ill watch her. She loves school, is excited to go everymorn.
The only thing Im concerned about is , I opened her lunch box and she didnt eat much, I think its because shes so excited.

Quoting Prego* ( 13 days left):“ Girl I just went thru the same thing. Not only is this my lil girls first year of school. But I lost ... [snip!] ... The only thing Im concerned about is , I opened her lunch box and she didnt eat much, I think its because shes so excited.”

Awww. I hope Maddy is as eager.
I know you lost your brother a few days ago. Remember what I said, hes with your mom and thats the best place for him. I hope you are doing better  

Quoting Kelli Jo & Bebe:“ Awww. I hope Maddy is as eager. I know you lost your brother a few days ago. Remember what I said, hes with your mom and thats the best place for him. I hope you are doing better  ”

Thanks girl. Im still depressed but trying to get there.