Starting 'school'

Okay ladies, talk me off the ledge here. I'm enrolling my guy in a 2YO program beginning in Sept. It's 8 mos away and my stomach is already turning at the thought of leaving him crying for us. He's been to Mommy and Me type classes but never been left alone anywhere (grandparents watch him while we work) and he's VERY attached to all of us. I know he'll be fine over time - but those first few days are going to KILL me. What did you do, if anything, to prepare your DC for school (for those who didn't do daycare/etc). I have plenty of time to prep him if there's anything I can do. I do plan to ask the school if I can take him there over the summer to familiarize him with the school and people - but not sure if that'll be allowed. TIA!

Re: Starting 'school'

I went through the same thing in September. My DS was just turning 2 and had never been left with someone he didnt know. The first day of school the parent came in with the child for orientation. The kids played while the parents listened to info, and filled out some paperwork. Then you got to interact with the kids, parents and teachers. It was nice.
After that they fully believed in going cold turkey. I work so my poor nanny had to be the one to drop him off day 1 crying. I wanted to do it myself, but knew that day 2 he would be going with her, and everyday after... so i didnt want to disrupt that new routine. My nanny said it was hard, im not going to lie. She cried after he went in. She told me every single child was crying so it made it a little easier to know they were all in the same boat. The class is only 2 hours and when she picked him up he came out very happy -- all smiles. After about 3 weeks he stopped crying when he went in. Now he just waltzes in and loves school. I really recommend doing it -- it has been so good for him. He loves to interact with the other kids, learn new songs, and have a little "independence". It will be harder for you than him at first but know you are doing something GOOD for him and he will wind up loving it! I cant speak to preparation -- I would tell my kid that he was going to school to play but I dont know that he had anything idea of what i was talking about! :)
Good luck!

Starting 'school'

Don't stress out now. It's months away. You would be surpirsed how easy it can be for some kids. My 2nd DD is attached to me. I was worried. But she walked in said good bye and that was that lol. She doesn't care and LOVES school now. She cried the 2nd day for like 1 min when she realized I left but was completely fine and only b/c other kids were crying.

I would just talk up school over the summer. when you are in school mommy won't be there but will come back and pick you up etc. School is so much fun. In August go pick out a backpack and lunch box together etc.

Just don't be nervous around him. He will feel that tension

Starting 'school'

Dont stress it now at all... Push it out of your mind, stressing about it wont change a thing...
DEF do not show him any signs of your anxiousness, he will feel it.

My dd started school at 2. Before that she was only watched by grandparents. I work part time and mostly from home so she was always with me. VERY attached. I knew she needed this to learn to be away from me. To learn things I wouldnt know to teach her. Socialize. Make friends.

The school should have orientation where you bring your DS and you stay, the teacher will go over all the necessary information such as drop off/pick up, things they will do, the schools philosophy, blah blah... Its usually 1-2 hours and then the next day or wheneva school will start.
My dd cried her eyes out when I left her the 1st day. I gave her hugs, kiss told her I would be back in a little while and I left. I let the teacher take her and handle it. I cried in my car that 1st day! LOL Its TOTALLY natural. I questioned if it was a big mistake. Was a bad mom lol all of it.
I went to pick her up and they told me she was fine after 2 min. She stopped and started playing.
She cried for the first 3 drop offs then she was totally fine! And it was the best decision of my life! She had learned so much! She made great friends. She LOVED it! She loved her teachers. It was an amazing experience.
It opened up a whole new dialogue between us. The ride home is my favorite part of our day or over lunch, we discuss everything she did in school that day. She would tell me all about her day.
I want to assure you, dont be nervous. And just know he may cry its highly likely BUT its ok. Its something he has to face. So he can face it now or next year or the year after, but every year you wait is every year it gets harder for him to break that anxiety. As well as you.
You have to trust that the teachers will know what to do to manage your sons feelings.
I used to talk it up to my dd all the time. OMG your going to start school! THat is so much fun! I want to go to school. You get to play and make friends, paint and color! Learn lots of new fun things. Your going to do crafts. and read. They have a ton of toys we dont even have!
I let her pick her own backpack. I used to give her a few choices and let her pick her snacks.

Re: Starting 'school'

I cannot thank you all enough for your responses! I know for sure this is the best thing for him but...he's my baby! Your stories are incredibly helpful! So glad your little ones are doing well and loving school!

Starting 'school'

Dd started nursery school in September- she was 18 months old. I talked to her about starting school and she was very excited. She loved it right form the start. It was the first time she was with anyone aside from family.

Starting 'school'

I was in the same boat when my DD started her nursery program. She was only ever with family before that.
The biggest thing for me was her teacher. She adores every single one of the kids and really makes them feel comfortable.
My DD did cry at drop off for a while. But I was always told it stopped right away.
I found if even one other kid cried that would set her off.
I also found that getting to school too early (our school you wait outside and they open the doors at exactly starting time, kids go in, parents don't) was hard for her. I thought she would enjoy running around with the other kids but the anticipation of when the doors were going to open was too much for her.
Now that she is 5 months in it's a different story and they all love to run around outside.
And I also kiss her when I take her out of the car instead of right before she walks in. Again, less time to think about it.
Good luck. It's so hard for us but really good for them.