Tell me about your first pre-school drop-off!

Marthafocker

I'm nervous! DD has been so clingy lately, I think she knows her life is about to change (I'm due any day). She starts pre-school the 11th, I don't want her to feel abandoned or have a major freak out but I'm pretty sure that's what will happen The first day is only an hour long, which is good. 

Anyone have some encouragement?  

KathrynMD

don't be nervous, you're LO will sense that and feed off of it.

Preschool is great for her and for you - really believe that!  It might be a shaky start, but it really will be good for her - and fun and she'll meet all new kids/friends, new toys, new games, etc., etc.  Start forcusing on what's great about preschool and talking that up - alot!!  You can talk about some of the scary things and how to handle them, what to expect - Mommy's goign to come in with you, and stay for X minutes and then we'll have a big kiss and a hug and then I'll leave for a little bit and you can play with your new friends and teachers.  Then I'll come back and you can tell me all about the fun stuff you did and we can go get ice cream/watch Dora/go to the playground, etc.  You can also tell her she might be sad for a few days when you leave, but never fear, you will come back and get her after a little while, etc.  The key here is that you need to adopt a positive attitude and then share that with your daughter. 

KL777

DS went to preschool for the first time at age 3 and it was fine.  I started off with 1/2 days to warm him up to it but he had participated in our church's Moms Day Out program before (3 hours every other Friday) and I was also in MOPS (2 hours every other Thursday) so it was not a difficult adjustment.

I agree with pp, talk it up before hand, get her excited about it.  I'm sure she'll like it!

bumpuser511563

DS was almost 2 1/2 when he started preschool. He already had experience of being in a daycare since he was 6 months old so there was no crying at preschool.

The school had a parent/teacher conference before school started so the students can get use to the classroom and play with the toys with the teacher's aides while the parents filled out the paper work.

What he did do on the first day was throw a tantrum. The teacher's aid had to grab him horizontally using both arms.

I have a picture.

Oh yeah and there were tons of parents taking pictures and video taping their kids going to school last year.

This year was different. DS has a nice first day of school picture in front of the school. I was okay until the teacher handed me a poem that almost made me cry. DH and I sneaked out before he noticed we were gone. DS was mad at me that first week of school when I would pick him up from daycare.

brewcitybride

Honestly, it will be fine! DD has been going to a daycare that's more like a preschool since she was 11 months old, 8 hours per day, for 3-4 days per week! And she's loved every second of it. I get that a lot of kids never go to a daycare, so some Mom's aren't used to it, but DD has thrived and advanced further than a lot of kids her age because of everything she has learned at her school in the past three years! Your daughter will love it!

NerdyMama2

Ours went fine! I said bye to DS, and he ran off to play. Not as bad as you think it's going to be.

Court0026

They haven't started this year yet, but last year, I was SO worried about it and DS did great!  He took a minute to leave our sides and then had a great day.  He did continue to be a little clingy at drop-off for most of the year, but he was always smiling and happy when I picked him up.

ghdst1

Agreed that if you are emotional then they are more likely to become emotional.  My son started preschool today (he is 3) and he loved it.  He ran right in and started interacting with the other kids.  When my husband went to pick him up...he cried.  Because he didn't want to leave!

Quiksilver620

when DD started school, the first 2 weeks were hard and I felt bad leaving her there crying.

Then she got the hang of it and loved it. Now when I show up to pick her up, she doesn't want to leave

lawry13

DD has been wanting to start so bad that she was ready for us to leave the minute we arrived (just kidding).  She was so excited about bringing her lunch and seeing her "friends", even though she didn't know any of the children in her class.  She did great (no crying) and had a great day.