When your child doesn't like school anymore..

My son is in Kindergarten and at the beginning of the year he loved going to school. He was waking up early, getting dressed on his own and was so eager and happy to go to school. After December break, things seemed to change. He would come home not as happy and was saying he was having trouble with some of the kids in the class. We addressed some of that, and I was considering going to the teacher, but then he told us things were better. We were trying to teach him how to use his words while at school to deal with the kids making fun of him, etc. I was giving it a time frame in my own head before I contacted her. But it seemed to resolve itself.

I volunteer in the classroom so I see that it's a very busy and fast paced class. My son is already reading, they are doing math=adding and subtracting, so I know he is learning a lot. He keeps telling us school is just too much work and he just seems so unhappy and sad. It's really breaking my heart to send him off to school and he is not happy. When he comes home, he says he has a good day and all seems to be okay. But the next morning, we are back to he doesn't like it and says he's sick, etc. But, I've addressed him being sick, and I know it's not always that. He gets the bus at 7:45 and gets home around 3:15.

Sorry for the long post. I just don't know what else to do. He also has a younger brother and I stay at home, so I am not sure if him knowing I am home all day with his brother is adding anything to this? He's still adjusting to having a baby brother around too.

I am looking for any advice? Would you talk to the teacher at this point? We've tried to tell him to ask for help if he needs it and to encourage him and tell him he's doing great and to just try the best he can. I also try and do stuff with him at home as well.

Any advice would be great- thanks so much!

Message edited 2/12/2015 12:43:00 PM.

When your child doesn't like school anymore..

It sounds like he might just be wanting to stay home with you and baby brother, since you mention that he's still adjusting to that. In the beginning of the year it was new and exciting. After December break, and staying home with you, he probably wants to be back there. So long as things were resolved with the other kids (are you noticing anything while you are there volunteering?), I wouldn't be so concerned about that. I might try to make it exciting again, like it was in the beginning of the year. Especially since he's fine in the afternoon when he gets home and says that he's had a good day.

Re: When your child doesn't like school anymore..

First off...

I know exactly what you are going through. You described my situation. DS1 is in half day kindergarten and has learned sooo much in such a short time. DS2 is 3 and in preschool. I work from home.
DS1 does love school. He is a sweet and sensitive boy and wants to be friends with everyone. He was having some issues with a mean boy on the bus, but the driver was awesome and spoke with the boy, the mom and the boy was moved. DS1 has been happy about that. I also send him to kindergarten enrichment twice a week so those days are even longer for him. He does love to learn, but they cram so much in those few hours. These poor kids. I am lucky DS1 is still happy with school. There was an instance he was saying some kids called him a baby bc he's short. I had a conf with the teachers. Since then he hasn't complained about school at all. He does enjoy it, but I see the amount of work they do is taking a toll on him. I wrote on another post about him not sleeping and I think it has to do with so much he's taking in all day. It was also right around winter break.
Only thing I can say is just be positive and get him to talk about what he does like about school. DS loves art and music. He's looking forward to a winter concert they're having soon so we discuss that. We make games of his math and popcorn words to make it fun. I have bought some learning games too which helped and we put popcorn words on sticky pads over the house and look for them.
WIsh I had more advise, but I struggle with the same things myself. Maybe make a big deal about weekends for him so getting through the week to have something to look forward to. I also do a start chart where he gets stars for doing HW, coming home happy, etc.

ETA - it's the half year mark and winter blues that doesn't help bc they need fresh air. I think when it gets warmer it'll be better. They'll get breaks on the playground and weekends we do sports so he sees his friends from school, but doing things that are fun. We are going on vacation soon. I am hoping the sun, rest and change helps.

Message edited 2/12/2015 12:55:57 PM.

When your child doesn't like school anymore..

I teach in elementary school. Unfortunately, Kindergarten is not what it used to be. The standards for these little kids are stressful for the kids. They have limited time for fun activities. I also think him knowing you are home is part of the problem. One of my kids this year was always sad and missing her mom. I found out it was because the mom had a new baby and was home with the baby. I spoke with the mom and to help her they sent in a folder with pictures of the baby and mom so she could look at it whenever she was sad. I would just touch base with the teacher and let her know what is happening. That way she can check in with him more often and give him some extra attention. GL

Re: When your child doesn't like school anymore..

Thanks so much for the feedback!

Re: When your child doesn't like school anymore..

I think its a good sign that he comes home saying things are good. mornings are tough!

I 100% would speak with teacher to make sure everything is going as well as he says it is and find out how mornings are too when he arrives.

I dunno maybe I am a bad mommy but I fib if needed. I only have a 3 yo and baby, and my 3 yo says he doesnt want to go to daycare "school" (part time) in the morning but has a good day when I go and get him he doesnt even want to leave. Even if I am working from home or his grandparents ARE home those days I always tell him ''you have to go, its fun and thats how you learn " etc AND I say "no one is home anyway - grandma and grandpa and mommy all have to go to work today. .. " even when the baby was too young for daycare and I was on maternity I would say that the baby had "baby school" or "doctor's apt" and mommy had "work" Not sure if a 5 year old would know your fibbing but just thought i'd share.

definitely talk with the teacher!! and I like the picture idea the above poster mentioned too.